As vegetable inflation touches 42% in Oct; Finance Ministry says Nov to be better

New Delhi: The October edition of the Monthly Economic Review (MER), prepared by Economic Affairs Department has said that November inflation is expected to be lower than the 14-month high of 6.2 per cent in October.

It is ‘cautiously optimistic’ on the economic outlook.

“Going ahead, the inflation trajectory will largely be influenced by the price movements in edible oils, tomato, onion and potato. On the positive side, the early trend visible in vegetable prices in November so far signals significantly lower inflation in tomato and onion. The estimate of bumper kharif production is likely to lower food inflation in the upcoming months,” October edition of the Monthly Economic Review (MER), prepared by Economic Affairs Department, said.

Vegetable inflation surged to 57 a month-high of 42 per cent in October. Supply disruptions from heavy rain in major producing states contributed to price pressures in tomatoes, onions, and potatoes while elevated global prices drove up oil and fat inflation. The MER noted that there is upward movement in global prices of edible oil and it has impacted domestic process as well. However, it expects some relief on food inflation which will have impact on headline inflation.

“Favourable monsoon, adequate reservoir levels and higher minimum support prices are likely to boost rabi sowing and production,” the report said.

Employment issue:

Talking about overall economy, the report noted that many high-frequency indicators of rural and urban demand and supply side variables like Purchasing Managers’ Index and E-way bill generation have shown better performance in October. On the employment front, the formal workforce is expanding with notable increases in manufacturing jobs and a strong inflow of youth into organised sectors, it said. It may be noted that urban unemployment rate among persons of age 15 years and above decreased to 6.4 per cent in July-September period of the current fiscal form 6.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

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