Parliament Question: Consumer Food Price Index trends

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3561 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026 CONSUMER FOOD PRICE INDEX TRENDS 3561. SHRI K.R.N. RAJESHKUMAR Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) the trend of the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) since the presentation of the 2026- 27 Budget, month-wise, the reasons for the continued volatility in the prices of essential pulses and edible oils; (b) the total quantity of food grains and pulses currently held in the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) buffer and the details of targeted retail interventions made in the last quarter to protect household purchasing power; and (c) whether Government has conducted a nationwide audit of private cold storage facilities to detect cases of black-marketing or hoarding that contribute to artificial price hikes? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L VERMA) (a) : Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for January 2026 and February 2026 (Provisional) published by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in February, 2026 and March, 2026 are as follows: January 2026 (Final) February 2026 (Provisional) Rural Urban Combined Rural Urban Combined Consumer Food 103.89 104.31 104.04 103.79 104.04 103.88 Price Index (CFPI) Prices of food commodities tend to be volatile as they are affected by several factors such as seasonality in production, supply chain disruptions, rise in international prices etc. The CPFI data as well as daily retail prices of 40 food commodities monitored by Department of Consumer Affairs showed that prices of pulses are stable. In respect of edible oils, India’s domestic production falls short of demand, leading to heavy dependence on imports and making prices sensitive to global market trends. Geopolitical uncertainties leading to increased global volatility and increased freight and insurance costs etc. added to the volatility in prices of edible oils.(b) : Under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), buffer stock of pulses and onion are maintained for strategic market interventions to ensure availability of these food commodities to consumers at affordable prices. The total stock of pulses with the Government comprising Price Stabilisation Buffer and stocks under Price Support Scheme (PSS) is 25.35 lakh MT. Onions procured from Rabi-2025 under PSF was released from September, 2025 for retail sale among consumers at discounted prices. In case of pulses, retail interventions under Bharat Dal mechanism were winded up in March, 2025 as the market prices have stabilized. (c) : To monitor the availability of pulses, the Department of Consumer Affairs has directed stock holding entities viz., traders, millers, importers, and organized retail chains to disclose their stock holdings on a weekly basis through the stock disclosure portal developed by the Department. Further, actions taken by State Governments and UT Administrations against hoarding and black-marketing are being regularly monitored through the online ATR portal. Enforcement measures under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 are also being closely tracked. *****