Weekly inflation eases as onion, tomato prices drop over 10 per cent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s short-term inflation, measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), declined by 0.83 per cent for the week ending April 10, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday. On a year-on-year basis, inflation dropped by 2.81 per cent.

Out of the 51 essential items monitored, prices of 14 items increased, 11 decreased, and 26 remained unchanged. A significant weekly decline was observed in food prices, with garlic falling by 14.73 per cent, tomatoes by 12.82 per cent, onions by 11.40 per cent, and chicken by 8.05 per cent. Eggs, bananas, wheat flour, and potatoes also registered notable decreases.

However, some commodities became costlier. Pulse gram recorded a 1.63 per cent increase, followed by LPG (0.64 per cent), beef and curd (0.59 per cent), long cloth (0.54 per cent), and minor hikes in gur, pulses, mutton, salt powder, and cigarettes.

Year-on-year figures showed a sharp decline in prices of several essentials. Onion prices dropped by 71.17 per cent, wheat flour by 34.87 per cent, and tomatoes by 31.07 per cent. Other items showing declines included chilli powder, garlic, electricity charges for Q1, tea, eggs, petrol, and diesel.

Conversely, some goods saw a significant rise in prices compared to last year. Ladies sandals became 55.62 per cent more expensive, followed by increases in pulse moong (27.55 per cent), powdered milk (25.74 per cent), beef (21.32 per cent), sugar, vegetable ghee, and certain clothing items.

All income groups experienced relief on a weekly basis, with the lowest income group seeing a 0.98 per cent drop in inflation and the highest income group recording a 0.75 per cent decrease. Annually, inflation for the lowest income group fell by 3.26 per cent, while the highest group saw a 2.16 per cent drop.

Meanwhile, the average price of a 50kg Sona urea bag fell to Rs4,510, while a 50kg bag of cement rose to Rs1,402.

The SPI is compiled weekly by PBS to monitor short-term price trends in 17 cities across the country.

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