NEW DELHI: Retail inflation fell to multi-year low of 3.78 per cent in July on account of cheaper food prices, including of vegetables, fruits and cereals.

The retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) was at 5.40 per cent in June 2015. In July 2014, CPI based retail inflation was as high as 7.39 per cent.

Food inflation measured on Consumer Food Price Index during the month of July 2015 fell to 2.15 per cent as against 5.48 per cent recorded in June 2015, the official data released today showed.

Prices of vegetables fell sharply during the month from a year ago, with inflation printing a negative 7.93 per cent. Fruits also turned cheaper by 1.45 per cent during the month compared to the same month last year.

However, prices of protein-rich items such as pulses remained higher as inflation rose to 22.88 per cent. Also, meat and fish prices turned costly by 7.02 per cent.

Inflation in cereals and products was at 1.06 per cent, eggs at 2.8 per cent, milk and products at 6.12 per cent and that for oils and fats was at 2.78 per cent in July 2015.

Among others, sugar and confectionery prices contracted by 12.30 per cent.

Spices prices rose by 9.09 per cent, non-alcoholic beverages by 4.44 per cent, prepared meals, snacks and sweets by 7.7 per cent while that for food and beverages category by 2.89 per cent.