New Delhi, March 4 -- Food price inflation has moderated over the past few months, descending from a high of 11% last October to 6% in January. As the winter harvest begins later this month, will food prices continue to soften going forward? Mint explores.

Food prices rose sharply in October last year (11% year-on-year) due to a spike in vegetable prices following heavy rains. Since then, it has moderated to 8.4% in December and 6% in January. Daily price trends from the consumer affairs ministry show that current prices (as on 2 March) are steep for cooking oils while easing for tomatoes, potatoes and onions. Mustard and sunflower oil prices are 26% and 29% higher year-on-year, respectively. For some items where prices have cooled, cons...