Inflation rose slightly, to 7.55 per cent in May this year, from 7.23 per cent in April, because of a spurt in the prices of potatoes and pulses, although onions and fruits showed a declining trend. Inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index, had stood at 9.56 per cent in May last year. Overall food inflation rose to 10.74 per cent in May, from 10.49 per cent in April. Potatoes turned costlier by 68.1 per cent during May, on an annual basis.

Pulses were 16.61 per cent costlier, and wheat 6.81 per cent more expensive. But inflation in vegetables declined to 49.43 per cent in May, compared to 61 per cent in April. Prices of eggs, meat and fish rose 17.89 per cent in May, official data released today showed. Milk prices rose 11.9 per cent, while rice turned costlier by 5.07 per cent and cereals by 5.73 per cent. But onion prices declined 7.23 per cent in May.

Non-food manufactured inflation also eased slightly, to 5.02 per cent in May, from 5.12 per cent in April.