Rising prices of food and beverages like coffee, tea, poultry, fish and vegetables pushed up inflation to 5-month high of 6.01 per cent in May.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation was 5.20 per cent in April and 4.58 per cent a year ago in May.

According to the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry in New Delhi today, food items which became expensive during the month include coffee, poultry chicken, fish-inland and tea and fruits and vegetables, besides other items.

In the 'Non-Food Articles' category, guar seed became expensive by 13 per cent, soyabean by ten per cent and cotton seed by one 1 per cent each.

The inflation figures for March was revised to 6 per cent from 5.70 per cent reported earlier. The previous high was 6.4 per cent in December.