Food inflation fell marginally to 16.24 per cent for the week ended September 25, on slight easing of supply side pressures, even as prices of cereals, fruits, select vegetables and milk remained high.

After rising for the fifth straight week, food inflation declined by 20 percentage points during the week.

The inflation figures were at 16.44 per cent for the week ended September 18.

The food inflation, which had moderated in July, has remained high since mid August due to supply disruptions, caused by heavy monsoon.

As per the latest figures, the inflation was driven mainly by higher prices of pulses, rice and wheat. Official data released here showed that on an annual basis, cereals prices have risen by 5.26 per cent.

While prices of pulses rose by 4.44 per cent on a yearly basis, wheat and rice became costlier by 6.49 per cent and 3.86 per cent, respectively.

Among other food items, milk prices soared by 24.88 per cent during the week compared to the same period last year, while fruit rates rose by 15.65 per cent.

Vegetables also became dearer by 7.65 per cent on annual basis. Onion prices went up by 9.85 per cent year-on- year, but potato prices declined by 50.81 per cent.