{
  "id": 12784860,
  "title": "Economists see food, oil stoking September inflation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/economists-see-food-oil-stoking-september-inflation",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-08T03:33:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/economists-see-food-oil-stoking-indias-september-inflation/articleshow/134779015.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's consumer inflation is expected to accelerate in September, approaching the upper limit of the Reserve Bank of India's 2%-6% target range, according to a Reuters poll of economists. The surge is attributed to rising energy costs and elevated food prices. Brent crude oil prices have surpassed $100 a barrel, while a weak monsoon season has driven up food prices. Food and beverages constitute roughly 40% of India's Consumer Price Index basket. The Reserve Bank of India raised its key repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, marking the first increase in nearly four years and signaling potential further policy tightening. Consumer inflation, as measured by the annual change in the CPI, likely rose to 5.40% in September from 4.82% in August, based on the median forecast of 41 economists, ranging from 4.90% to 5.90%. This would be the fourth consecutive month that inflation has surpassed the RBI's 4% medium-term target and the highest this year. Economists attribute the inflation rise to both food and energy prices, with Brent crude prices exceeding $100 per barrel and a deficient monsoon season impacting food costs. Core inflation, excluding volatile components like food and fuel, is projected to reach 4.3% in September. The weaker rupee, which has depreciated by around 7% against the dollar and is near its all-time low, adds to inflation risks for the import-dependent economy. Despite some economists suggesting the RBI might refrain from alarming the world by announcing a rate hike, experts believe that the underlying price pressures in the economy necessitate more aggressive monetary policy measures.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Inside India newsletter: Food crisis, economic shock ahead as India braces for El Niño",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/inside-india-newsletter-food-crisis-economic-shock-ahead-as-india",
        "published": "2026-10-08T00:14:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times - Economy",
        "title": "Economists see food, oil stoking India’s September inflation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/economists-see-food-oil-stoking-indias-september-inflation",
        "published": "2026-10-08T03:33:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}