Food inflation slips a bit

After rising to nearly 20 per cent in the previous week, food inflation eased a bit at 18.22 per cent towards the close of 2009 but households continued to feel the pinch as prices of pulses, potatoes and cereals were still ruling high.

Food inflation slipped by 1.61 percentage points during the week ended December 26 from 19.83 per cent the previous week as vegetable prices fell marginally on weekly basis though on yearly basis prices continued to soar.

However, if food prices relent on a sustained basis, the trend will buttress the government's confidence about prices easing by next month.