WPI Inflation Rises to 9.92% in August on Food, Fuel Prices

New Delhi: India’s wholesale price-based inflation rose to 9.92% in August 2026, up from 9.78% in July, as higher prices of food, fuel and manufactured products intensified cost pressures across the economy. The figures were released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on September 14.

Food inflation, measured through the WPI Food Index, increased to 7.05% in August, compared with 6.65% in July. Inflation in primary food articles rose to 5.67% from 5.44%, while manufactured food products recorded a sharper increase to 9.65% from 8.89%.

Fuel and power remained a major source of wholesale price pressure. Inflation in this category accelerated to 22.93%, up from 20.05% in July. Mineral oil inflation rose to 38.48%, while crude petroleum and natural gas inflation increased to 34.41%.

Manufactured products inflation also edged higher to 8.37%, compared with 8.29% in July. The Ministry identified food products, basic metals, chemicals and chemical products, mineral oils and other commodities among the major contributors to wholesale price inflation during the month.

Within the manufacturing sector, inflation in chemicals and chemical products increased to 14.30% from 13.12%. Rubber and plastic products recorded inflation of 11.18%, up from 10.38%, indicating continued cost pressures in several industrial input categories.

The rise in wholesale prices comes amid elevated global commodity costs and geopolitical uncertainty. Reports have linked the increase in fuel and fertiliser costs to disruptions associated with the West Asia conflict and the Strait of Hormuz, with potential implications for food production and manufacturing expenses.

For the dairy industry, higher costs of energy, packaging, chemicals, transportation and agricultural inputs could influence production and distribution expenses. However, the WPI figures measure wholesale price movements across the economy and do not establish the specific cost impact on dairy businesses.

The August data highlights the importance of monitoring input costs and supply-chain efficiency across food and manufacturing sectors as inflationary pressures remain elevated.

Source: Dairynews7x7 16 Sep, 2026 Read full story here

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