Onion Prices Soar 108% As India’s Retail Inflation Climbs To 5.54% In September

India’s year-on-year retail inflation rose to 5.54 per cent (provisional) in September 2026, up from 4.83 per cent in August.

Food inflation increased more sharply to 7.74 per cent from 5.97 per cent, according to the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI).

PHDCCI President Anil Gupta said the latest figures indicated mounting consumer price pressures, particularly in food. He noted that inflation exceeded the PHDCCI PriceNexus Engine forecast of 4.42 per cent.

Rural CPI inflation increased to 6.08 per cent in September from 5.24 per cent in August. Urban inflation rose to 4.88 per cent from 4.31 per cent. Rural food inflation reached 8.06 per cent, while urban food inflation stood at 7.18 per cent.

The figures underline the pressure on rural household budgets.

Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services recorded inflation of 13.75 per cent.

Restaurants and accommodation services followed at 9.36 per cent, while food and beverages registered 7.36 per cent and transport 5.01 per cent.

Inflation remained lower in health at 1.40 per cent, recreation, sport and culture at 2.16 per cent, information and communication at 2.44 per cent, and housing and utilities at 2.74 per cent.

Onion prices surged 108.09 per cent year-on-year, compared with 48.78 per cent in August.

Silver jewellery rose 87.80 per cent, ginger 62.85 per cent, garlic 54.62 per cent and lemons 36.41 per cent.

Conversely, potato prices fell 11.50 per cent, tomatoes 8.62 per cent and motor cars and jeeps 4.51 per cent.

PHDCCI SG and CEO Dr Ranjeet Mehta called for better market information, efficient logistics and coordinated supply-side measures to support price stability and sustainable economic growth.

Also Read: Dharavi Redevelopment: Pranav Adani Begins Construction Of 10 Towers With 10,432 Homes