Wholesale price-based inflation spiked to a five-month high of 12.54 per cent in October, mainly because of a rise in prices of manufactured products and crude petroleum.

WPI inflation has remained in double digits for the seventh consecutive month beginning April. Inflation in September this year was at 10.66 per cent, while in October 2020 it was at 1.31 per cent.

Inflation in manufactured items was 12.04 per cent in October against 11.41 per cent in the previous month.

In the fuel and power basket, the rate of price rise was 37.18 per cent against 24.81 per cent in September.

Crude petroleum inflation was 80.57 per cent during the month under review, against 71.86 per cent in September. Inflation in food articles was at (-)1.69 per cent in October against (-)4.69 per cent in September.

Vegetable prices were lower at (-)18.49 per cent, while in onions it was (-)25.01 per cent.