Inflation based on wholesale price index slowed in February for the third straight month, to 2.48%, helped by a subdued rise in food and fuel prices, government data showed on Wednesday. The inflation rate compares the index for February 2018 with that for February 2017.

In February, wholesale food prices rose just 0.07% since the same month in 2017, down from a 1.65% rise in the previous month, the data showed.

The wholesale price index reflects the prices of goods bought and sold in the wholesale market. This is different from the consumer price index-based inflation, which reflects price changes in the retail market.

The WPI inflation had reached an eight-month high of 3.93% in November. This came down to 3.58% in December and then 2.84% in January.

Data released on Monday had shown the retail inflation slowed to 4.04% in February from 5.07% a month before.