Weekly inflation slightly edges up as prices of food and household goods increase

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), a key measure of weekly inflation, has recorded a 0.20% increase for the combined consumption groups during the week ending April 3, 2025, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). 

The SPI for this period reached 319.79 points, up from 319.14 points the previous week.

On a year-on-year basis, however, the SPI for the combined consumption group showed a decrease of 1.99%. The weekly SPI, based on the 2015-16 base year (with a value of 100), monitors price changes across 17 urban centers and 51 essential items, covering all expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group, with a monthly income of up to Rs 17,732, increased by 0.28%, reaching 308.66 points compared to 307.79 points the previous week. 

Other consumption groups also saw increases in their SPI, with those in the income brackets of Rs 17,732 to 22,888; Rs 22,889 to 29,517; Rs 29,518 to 44,175; and above Rs 44,175, recording increases of 0.27%, 0.23%, 0.22%, and 0.17% respectively.

Out of the 51 items monitored, 15 items (29.41%) saw price increases, 10 items (19.61%) saw price decreases, and 26 items (50.98%) saw no change in their prices. 

Among the items that saw significant price increases on a week-on-week basis were chicken (7.17%), potatoes (6.50%), onions (5.10%), tomatoes (0.66%), and gur (0.63%).

On the other hand, items that saw price decreases included garlic (6.11%), bananas (5.34%), eggs (4.79%), LPG (0.70%), and petrol (0.33%).

When comparing prices year-on-year, several items saw notable price decreases, including onions (67.46%), wheat flour (31.63%), tomatoes (20.93%), chilies powder (20.00%), and electricity charges for the first quarter of the year (18.92%). 

Meanwhile, prices for items such as ladies sandals (55.62%), pulse moong (27.10%), powdered milk (25.74%), and beef (21.10%) saw substantial increases on a year-on-year basis.