Annual food inflation inched up to 12.81 per cent for the week ended July 3, while fuel inflation shot up to 14.27 per cent, reflecting the hike in oil prices.

In the previous week food inflation was at 12.63 per cent and fuel inflation at 18.02 per cent.

While vegetable prices fell by 5.70 per cent year-on year, costlier pulses and cereals kept food inflation higher.

Potato became cheaper by nearly 43 per cent, while onion prices were down five per cent on an annual basis. Cereals turned dearer by 6.04 per cent and rice by 6.10 per cent.

Prices of pulses shot up 28.98 per cent and that of milk by 15.91 per cent. Year-on-year fruit prices went up by 15.91 per cent.

The impact of the hike in fuel prices hike by the government on June 25 was seen in the prices of petroleum products, which rose 14.27 per cent annually.

The increase spurred the overall inflation to 10.55 per cent in June.

Prices of petrol and diesel were raised by up to Rs 3.50 a litre, while that of LPG and kerosene were hiked by 35 per cylinder and Rs 3 a litre respectively.

Food inflation had remained above the 16 per cent-level for most part of the year. However, it had fallen sharply since mid June to below 13 per cent mainly on lower base a year ago.