NEW DELHI: Inflation dipped to a five-month low of 5.19 percent in July mainly on account of decline in prices of some food articles, vegetables and protein-rich items.

It was at 5.43 percent in June and 5.84 per cent in July 2013.

Inflation in the overall food articles basket, which account for 14 percent of the total Wholesale Price Index (WPI), stood at 8.43 percent. It was at 8.14 percent in June.

Inflation in vegetables declined 1.27 percent, and for onion it was (-)8.13 percent on an annual basis in July, as per the WPI data released. However, potato prices shot up 46.41 percent and fruits 31.71 percent during the month. Rate of price rise in milk was at 10.46 percent.

Inflation in the egg, meat and fish category stood at 2.71 percent in July as against 10.27 percent in the previous month.

While the rate of price rise in pulses was  3.31 percent, it was at 4.46 percent for cereals. In rice it was 6.85 percent and wheat 1.02 percent in July.

Inflation in the manufactured products was at 3.67 percent, and non-food articles, which include fibre, oil seeds and minerals, at 3.32 percent.

Inflation in the fuel and power category, meanwhile, was down at 7.40 percent from the previous month.

The WPI inflation data was revised upwards for May to 6.18 percent, from 6.01 percent as per provisional estimates.

The Reserve Bank in its monetary policy review last week had cautioned that continued uncertainty over monsoon could stoke food inflation, but expressed the hope that government policies will improve supplies in the coming months.

Retail inflation data for July, released earlier this week, showed a marginal inch up to 7.96 percent.