Retail inflation rose to 6.09 per cent in June — higher than the 6 per cent upper margin mandated by the RBI. However, economists feel the central bank could still ease rates because of concerns about economic slowdown caused by the lockdown.

The last recorded CPI number came in March at 5.84 per cent. Retail inflation numbers for April and May were not released because of insufficient data .

Food price inflation in June fell to a nine-month low of 7.87 per cent as temporary supply constraints during the nationwide lockdown eased. In May, food inflation was at 9.2 per cent.

The rise in retail inflation was mainly because of pulses that saw a 16.68 per cent year-on-year rise in June. The meat and fish segment saw a rise of 16.22 per cent, while that of oils and fats rose 12.27 per cent and spices gained 11.74 per cent.

The inflation figures are based on data collected from limited markets in view of the pandemic restrictions.