Food inflation as measured by the revised consumer food price index moved sharply upwards to touch 7.74% in September, primarily because onion, ginger, garlic, sugar, chicken, and edible oils became far costlier. Sequentially, the all-India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) rose by 1.44% last month from the August level, a significantly higher rise than what was seen in August. Food inflation was 5.97% in August 2026, and it was in negative territory for seven months through December 2025.