New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Retail prices of key food commodities remained broadly stable during the week ended 18 September, supported by higher foodgrain production, comfortable stock positions and stable supply conditions, according to a statement released by the department of consumer affairs on Sunday. Among key food items, sugar saw the sharpest week-on-week decline, with its all-India average retail price falling 2.37% to Rs.58.55 per kg on 18 September, from Rs.59.97 a week earlier. Masoor dal prices fell 1.06% to Rs.89.79 per kg, while rice declined 0.49% to Rs.46.26 per kg. Among other pulses, gram declined 0.17% to Rs.88.07 per kg, urad dal fell 0.24% to Rs.122.68, and moong dal declined 0.22% to Rs.111.94. Tur dal was the exception, rising 0.21% to Rs.124.43 per kg, it said. Prices of cereals were largely steady. Wheat declined marginally by 0.06% to Rs.31.77 per kg, while atta prices fell 0.35% to Rs.37.39 per kg. The moderation in food prices could provide some relief on the inflation front after retail inflation rose to a 20-month high of 4.82% in August, driven by higher food and fuel prices. Inflation has remained above the Reserve Bank of India's 4% medium-term target for the third consecutive month since January 2025. "The current price trend points to a comfortable food-supply situation, with higher production of pulses and cereals and adequate stocks providing a buffer against price pressures," said Rakesh Arrawatia, professor at the Institute of Rural Management Anand (Irma) and dean, School of Cooperative Banking and Finance. "The decline in prices of several essential commodities, particularly masoor, sugar and rice, indicates that there is no broad-based supply pressure at present. Maintaining adequate stocks and monitoring market arrivals will be important to sustain this stability," said Arrawatia. The department of consumer affairs monitors daily prices of 41 essential commodities across 579 centres nationwide. Continuous monitoring of prices, mandi arrivals and availability trends enables the department to undertake timely interventions to prevent unwarranted price spikes and maintain market stability, it said. Among edible oils, palm oil registered the highest increase, rising 0.68% over the week to Rs.152.52 per kg. Soya oil increased 0.30% to Rs.166.61, groundnut oil rose 0.23% to Rs.209.31 and mustard oil edged up 0.06% to Rs.202.07. Sunflower oil, meanwhile, declined marginally by 0.03% to Rs.193.18 per kg, it said....