Food inflation inched up marginally to 8.76 per cent for the week ended April 16 on the back of rising prices of fruits, protein-based items and onions. Food inflation stood at 8.74 per cent in the previous week. This is the second consecutive week when the rate of price rise of food items has gone up after a period of moderation in February and March.

Onions became more expensive by 10.96 per cent on an annual basis. Milk also became dearer by 5.10 per cent.

Similarly, cereal prices went up by 4.49 per cent, while rice and wheat became dearer by 2.08 per cent and 0.48 per cent, respectively. However, pulses bucked the trend and witnessed a decline of 6.49 per cent in their wholesale prices. Overall, vegetable prices were down by 0.21 per cent and potatoes by 1.61 per cent.