{
  "id": 14139131,
  "title": "India’s food inflation surges to 7.74%, weak monsoon spikes prices amid El Niño risks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/indias-food-inflation-surges-to-7-74-weak-monsoon-spikes-prices-amid",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-13T06:08:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-food-inflation-surges-to-7-74-weak-monsoon-spikes-prices-amid-el-ni-o-risks-101791871721570.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's food inflation jumped to 7.74% in September, up from 5.97% in August, largely due to soaring onion prices and rising costs for ginger, garlic, and lemons. Experts fear this trend may continue into 2027 if El Niño, a climatic event, continues to impact rainfall patterns. El Niño is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that can substantially alter weather patterns, potentially lasting up to 12 months. The World Meteorological Organization predicts this year's El Niño could be one of the strongest on record, capable of weakening the monsoon and exacerbating agricultural challenges. Onion prices surged more than double over the year, with inflation skyrocketing to 108.09% in September from 48.78% in August. Ginger and garlic prices increased by 62.85% and 54.62%, respectively, while lemon prices rose by 36.41%. India has been experiencing one of its weakest monsoon seasons in over a decade, with rainfall during June-September being the fourth-lowest since 2001 and the 13th-lowest since 1901. Key agricultural states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana face extreme drought conditions, further threatening crop yields, soil moisture, and reservoir levels. Economists attribute the surge in food prices not only to higher input costs like oil but primarily to adverse weather conditions and the potential persistence of El Niño into 2027. Crop-specific supply shortages are adding to the pressure on vegetables and spices, with garlic production in Rajasthan estimated at only 60% of the previous year's level. Ginger prices are also affected by domestic supply losses and a strong international market, while the health of the upcoming kharif crop, particularly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, remains uncertain. Household staple prices, such as rice, tur dal, and packed groundnut oil, have also seen price increases, indicating broader inflationary pressures beyond just vegetables.",
  "summary": "Onion prices more than doubled over the year, with inflation accelerating to 108.09% in September from 48.78% in August",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "IMF Projects India's GDP Growth At 7% In FY27 & FY28, Warns Of Fragile Global Economy Amid Rising Energy Prices & Geopolitical Risks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/imf-projects-indias-gdp-growth-at-7-in-fy27-fy28-warns-of-fragile",
        "published": "2026-10-13T04:44:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times - Economy",
        "title": "Blackstone COO flags tech disruption, geopolitical conflicts as global risks; says India's investment climate improving",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/blackstone-coo-flags-tech-disruption-geopolitical-conflicts-as-global",
        "published": "2026-10-13T04:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}