Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry

16-April-2012 11:34 IST

Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in India (Base: 2004-05=100) Review for the month of March, 2012

 

The official Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2004-05 = 100) for the month March, 2012 rose by 0.9 percent to 159.8 (Provisional) from 158.4 (Provisional) for the previous month.

INFLATION

The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 6.89% (Provisional) for the month of March, 2012 (over March, 2011) as compared to 6.95% (Provisional) for the previous month and 9.68% during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up inflation in the financial year so far was 6.89% compared to a build up of 9.68% in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Inflation for important commodities / commodity groups is indicated in Annex-1 and Annex-II.

The movement of the index for the various commodity groups is summarized below:-

PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 20.12%)

The index for this major group rose by 2.4 percent to 206.3 (Provisional) from 201.5 (Provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items for which the index showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for 'Food Articles' group rose by 2.3 percent to 196.8 (Provisional) from 192.3 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of fruits & vegetables (9%), poultry chicken (7%), barley (6%), maize (3%),      beef & buffalo meat,  bajra and gram (2% each) and wheat,  moong,  ragi and rice (1% each).  However, the prices of jowar (5%), tea (4%), egg, urad, arhar and fish-marine (2% each) and fish-inland (1%) declined.

The index for 'Non-Food Articles' group rose by 1.3 percent to 189.1 (Provisional) from 186.7 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of  gaur seed (52%), soyabean (7%), groundnut seed (6%),  raw rubber (5 %), sunflower and niger seed (4% each), copra  and gingelly seed (3% each), fodder  and linseed (2% each) and       safflower  and raw jute (1% each).  However, the prices of flowers (36%), castor seed (5%), raw cotton (2%) and       coir fibre (1%) declined.

The index for 'Minerals' group rose by 4.1 percent to 343.0 (Provisional) from 329.6 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of copper ore (24%), magnesite (17%), steatite (11%), iron ore and zinc concentrate (3% each) and crude petroleum (2%).  However, the prices of sillimanite (13%), manganese ore and barytes (3% each) declined.

FUEL & POWER (Weight 14.91%)

The index for this major group rose by 0.5 percent to 174.0 (Provisional) from 173.2 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of light diesel oil (8%), aviation turbine fuel (5%), naphtha (3%) and      furnace oil (2%).  However, the prices of bitumen (4%) declined.

MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 64.97%)

The index for this major group rose by 0.4 percent to 142.2 (Provisional) from 141.7 (Provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items for which the index showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for 'Food Products' group rose by 0.2 percent to 153.7 (Provisional) from 153.4 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of groundnut oil (5%), palm oil, soyabean oil and mustard & rapeseed oil      (2% each) and cotton seed oil and sugar confectionary (1% each).  However, the prices of tea leaf (unblended)    (4%), canned fish (3%), ghee (2%) and mixed spices, oil cakes and copra oil (1% each) declined.

The index for 'Beverages, Tobacco & Tobacco Products' group rose by 0.2 percent to 167.2 (Provisional) from 166.8 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of bidi and soft drinks & carbonated water (1% each).  However, the prices of dried tobacco (1%) declined.

The index for 'Textiles' group rose by 0.7 percent to 128.0 (Provisional) from 127.1 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of cotton yarn (2%) and jute yarn, gunny and hessian cloth, tyre cord fabric, man made fabric and cotton fabric (1% each).

The index for 'Wood & Wood Products' group declined by 0.6 percent to 162.6 (Provisional) from 163.5 (Provisional) for the previous month due to lower prices of timber / wooden planks (4%).  However, the prices of  plywood & fibre board (1%) moved up.

The index for 'Paper & Paper Products' group rose by 0.7 percent to 133.2 (Provisional) from 132.3 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of paper pulp and books/ periodicals/ journals (3% each), paper for printing / poster (2%) and printing and writing paper, maplitho paper and computer stationery (1% each).

The index for 'Leather & Leather Products' group rose by 0.5 percent to 131.2 (Provisional) from 130.6 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of leather footwear (1%).

The index for 'Rubber & Plastic Products' group rose by 0.3 percent to 134.5 (Provisional) from 134.1 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of rubber transmission belt (2%).

The index for 'Chemicals & Chemical Products' group rose by 0.7 percent to 138.9 (Provisional) from 137.9 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of di ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate (3 % each), basic organic chemicals, hair / body oils, pigment & pigment intermediates and organic manure (2% each) and washing powder, lacquer & varnishes, paints, explosives and rubber chemicals (1% each).  However, the prices of antacid and digestive preparations and turpentine oil (1% each) declined.

The index for 'Non-Metallic Mineral Products' group rose by 0.5 percent to 156.7 (Provisional) from 155.9 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of slag cement (3%) and bricks & tiles (1%).

The index for 'Basic Metals, Alloys & Metal Products' group rose by 0.3 percent to 162.4 (Provisional) from 161.9 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of sponge iron and ferro chrome (4% each),     silver (3%), pig iron, rebars, melting scrap and pencil ingots (2% each) and rounds, joist & beams, wire rods,     angles, pressure cooker, steel pipes & tubes, billets, aluminium, fixtures, nuts/bolts/screw/ washers, sheets and iron & steel wire (1% each).  However, the prices of crc (7%), metal containers (3%) and gold & gold ornaments  and slab (1% each) declined.

The index for 'Machinery & Machine Tools' group rose by 0.1 percent to 126.0 (Provisional) from 125.9 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of thresher (4%), boiler & accessories, engines and cranes (2% each) and electrical pumps, communication equipments, industrial  valves, batteries, t.v.sets, lamps,     material handling equipments, pump & assembly, pvc insulated cable and hydraulic equipment (1% each).  However, the prices of earth moving machinery (7%), control equipments (5%) and computer power supply system (smps), battery dry cells and insulators (1% each) declined.

The index for 'Transport, Equipment & Parts' group rose by 0.6 percent to 126.2 (Provisional) from 125.5 (Provisional) for the previous month due to higher prices of shafts (all kinds) (2%) and bi-cycles, motor vehicles and motor cycle / scooter / moped (1% each).

FINAL INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2012 (BASE YEAR: 2004-05=100)

For the month of January, 2012 the final Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2004-05=100) stood at 158.2 as compared to 157.7 (Provisional) and annual rate of inflation based on final index stood at 6.89 percent as compared to 6.55 percent (Provisional) reported on 14.02.2012.

Next date of press release: 14/05/2012 for the month of April, 2012

 

Annexure-I

Wholesale Price Index and Rates of Inflation (Base Year: 2004-05=100)

 

						Month of March, 2012
Commodities/Major Groups/Groups/Sub-Groups	Weight	WPI Mar., 2012	Latest month over month			Build up from March		Year on year
			2010-11		2011-12	2010-11	2011-12	2010-11	2011-12
ALL COMMODITIES	100.00000	159.8	0.95		0.88	9.68	6.89	9.68	6.89
PRIMARY ARTICLES	20.11815	206.3	-0.74		2.38	13.44	9.62	13.44	9.62
Food Articles	14.33709	196.8	-1.27		2.34	9.41	9.94	9.41	9.94
Cereals	3.37323	179.9	-1.54		1.07	3.48	4.41	3.48	4.41
Rice	1.79348	174.9	-2.00		1.10	2.27	4.73	2.27	4.73
Wheat	1.11595	171.9	-2.26		1.30	0.17	-0.69	0.17	-0.69
Pulses	0.71662	210.2	-1.24		0.72	-3.97	10.05	-3.97	10.05
Vegetables	1.73553	187.1	-9.48		16.43	8.56	30.57	8.56	30.57
Potato	0.20150	119.3	-1.29		12.65	1.42	11.60	1.42	11.60
Onion	0.17794	135.7	-31.27		1.12	4.55	-24.23	4.55	-24.23
Fruits	2.10717	176.2	8.08		3.77	26.72	-4.50	26.72	-4.50
Milk	3.23818	201.3	-3.22		-0.10	4.43	15.29	4.43	15.29
Egg, Meat & Fish	2.41384	230.0	1.77		-0.17	13.54	17.71	13.54	17.71
Non-Food Articles	4.25756	189.1	-0.10		1.29	27.35	-1.20	27.35	-1.20
Fibres	0.87737	194.6	0.93		-1.22	87.69	-31.38	87.69	-31.38
Oil Seeds	1.78051	170.3	0.53		3.65	10.87	12.78	10.87	12.78
Minerals	1.52350	343.0	1.41		4.07	15.20	28.56	15.20	28.56
FUEL & POWER	14.91021	174.0	2.67		0.46	12.49	10.41	12.49	10.41
Liquefied petroleum gas	0.91468	147.3	0.00		0.00	14.99	14.27	14.99	14.27
Petrol	1.09015	177.7	0.00		0.00	23.14	12.04	23.14	12.04
High speed diesel	4.67020	167.8	0.00		0.00	6.22	9.24	6.22	9.24
MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS	64.97164	142.2	1.19		0.35	7.45	4.87	7.45	4.87
Food Products	9.97396	153.7	0.00		0.20	2.40	5.93	2.40	5.93
Sugar	1.73731	175.8	0.65		-0.34	-7.14	3.11	-7.14	3.11
Edible Oils	3.04293	141.4	-0.46		1.58	12.98	9.78	12.98	9.78
Beverages, Tobacco & Tobacco Product	1.76247	167.2	1.98		0.24	8.80	8.22	8.80	8.22
Cotton Textiles	2.60526	141.6	6.32		1.29	33.13	-8.47	33.13	-8.47
Man Made Textiles	2.20573	120.1	1.50		0.59	12.64	-1.64	12.64	-1.64
Wood & Wood Products	0.58744	162.6	0.40		-0.55	3.62	7.19	3.62	7.19
Paper & Paper Products	2.03350	133.2	1.01		0.68	8.37	2.86	8.37	2.86
Leather & Leather Products	0.83509	131.2	1.37		0.46	-1.49	4.54	-1.49	4.54
Rubber & Plastic Products	2.98697	134.5	1.29		0.30	10.56	1.13	10.56	1.13
Chemicals & Chemical Products	12.01770	138.9	1.25		0.73	7.39	7.42	7.39	7.42
Non-Metallic Mineral Products	2.55597	156.7	1.51		0.51	3.71	5.66	3.71	5.66
Cement & Lime	1.38646	161.0	1.65		0.50	1.65	4.75	1.65	4.75
Basic Metals Alloys & Metal Product	10.74785	162.4	1.16		0.31	11.67	9.51	11.67	9.51
Iron & Semis	1.56301	164.4	0.86		2.05	13.33	17.18	13.33	17.18
Machinery & Machine Tools	8.93148	126.0	0.65		0.08	3.18	2.19	3.18	2.19
Transport Equipment & Parts	5.21282	126.2	0.66		0.56	3.64	3.10	3.64	3.10

 

 

Annexure-II
Trend of Rate of Inflation for some important items during last six months
Commodities/Major Groups/Groups/Sub-Groups	Weight (%)	Rate of Inflation for the last six months
		Mar-12	Feb-12	Jan-12	Dec-11	Nov-11	Oct-11
ALL COMMODITIES	100.00	6.89	6.95	6.89	7.74	9.46	9.87
PRIMARY ARTICLES	20.12	9.62	6.28	2.76	3.59	8.90	10.96
Food Articles	14.34	9.94	6.07	-0.68	0.79	8.32	10.17
Cereals	3.37	4.41	1.71	2.25	1.74	2.15	4.32
Rice	1.79	4.73	1.53	0.94	1.17	2.99	4.51
Wheat	1.12	-0.69	-4.18	-3.42	-3.87	-4.86	-1.72
Pulses	0.72	10.05	7.91	11.01	13.73	14.96	10.25
Vegetables	1.74	30.57	1.52	-43.74	-34.55	10.68	15.68
Potato	0.20	11.60	-2.22	-23.15	-35.39	-9.31	1.04
Onion	0.18	-24.23	-48.50	-75.62	-61.62	-35.15	-16.92
Fruits	2.11	-4.50	-0.53	6.43	8.78	7.29	11.27
Milk	3.24	15.29	11.70	12.33	11.02	10.91	11.12
Egg, Meat & Fish	2.41	17.71	20.00	18.27	13.10	11.40	12.43
Non-Food Articles	4.26	-1.20	-2.56	0.72	1.82	3.40	7.41
Fibres	0.88	-31.38	-29.89	-15.04	-7.41	1.56	11.21
Oil Seeds	1.78	12.78	9.39	12.77	10.57	11.54	10.28
Minerals	1.52	28.56	25.28	30.73	25.79	22.53	22.67
FUEL & POWER	14.91	10.41	12.83	14.61	14.98	15.48	14.79
Liquefied petroleum gas	0.91	14.27	14.27	14.27	14.27	14.27	14.27
Petrol	1.09	12.04	12.04	15.02	20.39	27.63	27.90
High speed diesel	4.67	9.24	9.24	9.24	9.24	9.24	9.32
MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS	64.97	4.87	5.75	6.71	7.64	8.17	8.05
Food Products	9.97	5.93	5.72	5.51	6.31	7.24	7.66
Sugar	1.74	3.11	4.13	2.54	4.69	6.18	7.31
Edible Oils	3.04	9.78	7.57	9.43	11.93	11.82	12.93
Beverages, Tobacco & Tobacco Product	1.76	8.22	10.10	10.96	14.08	13.22	12.66
Cotton Textiles	2.61	-8.47	-3.92	0.36	5.69	9.51	11.28
Man Made Textiles	2.21	-1.64	-0.75	2.04	4.11	5.58	7.17
Wood & Wood Products	0.59	7.19	8.21	8.98	8.93	9.01	8.81
Paper & Paper Products	2.03	2.86	3.20	4.27	5.25	5.25	5.41
Leather & Leather Products	0.84	4.54	5.49	6.57	2.97	3.13	2.03
Rubber & Plastic Products	2.99	1.13	2.13	3.31	4.94	5.29	6.80
Chemicals & Chemical Products	12.02	7.42	7.99	9.45	9.90	9.98	9.92
Non-Metallic Mineral Products	2.56	5.66	6.71	8.11	8.64	8.28	6.07
Cement & Lime	1.39	4.75	5.95	7.96	8.91	8.22	4.03
Basic Metals Alloys & Metal Product	10.75	9.51	10.44	12.33	13.53	13.94	12.09
Iron & Semis	1.56	17.18	15.82	19.21	24.52	24.00	21.91
Machinery & Machine Tools	8.93	2.19	2.78	3.03	3.12	3.55	3.55
Transport Equipment & Parts	5.21	3.10	3.21	3.29	4.50	4.68	4.43

 

 

DS/GK

Wholesale Price Inflation eased in March while monthly WPI rose modestly, reflecting mixed primary, fuel and manufacturing movements. The government published the Wholesale Price Index (Base 2004-05=100) for March 2012, reporting a provisional monthly increase in the All Commodities index and an annual rate of inflation based on the WPI. Detailed movements are reported for Primary Articles, Fuel & Power and Manufactured Products, with item level drivers identified (notably food articles, oilseeds, minerals and petroleum products). Annexed tables supply weighted indices, month over month changes, year on year rates and six month trends to support analysis of short term volatility and fiscal year build up of inflation.