New Delhi, Nov. 13 -- Food inflation is expected to remain high over the next few months, with the Reserve Bank of India likely to raise interest rates by 25 basis points in December to cool retail inflation, a report by ICICI Bank highlighted.

The report said the outlook for food inflation will largely depend on the upcoming rabi crop, as the kharif season has witnessed a shortfall. Lower reservoir levels and soil moisture conditions could also affect rabi crop output, creating upside risks to food prices.

It said cereals, pulses, coarse cereals and edible oils are among the food items that could face upward price pressure. The distribution of rainfall across the country during the monsoon indicates that these crops could see the maxim...