India’s retail inflation stood at 4.82 percent in August, according to official data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Wholesale prices rose much faster, up 9.92 percent, while the rupee stayed under pressure.

Food prices are a key driver. Wholesale chana prices rose 11 percent in a month and about 23 percent from a year ago. Moong was up 10.6 percent, tur 6.5 percent and urad 24 percent from last year. Onions and ginger are also getting costlier.

The gap between wholesale and retail inflation suggests more price pressure may reach consumers in the coming months. Festive season demand is expected to add to food price pressures.

The September inflation numbers will be released on October 12. They will be watched closely because they come just ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s October 7 policy review.

For households, the figures mean tighter budgets on kitchen essentials. For policymakers, they narrow the room for any interest rate cut.