In the week ending April 3, 2025, Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) exhibited a nuanced pattern: a slight week-on-week increase of 0.20%, juxtaposed with a notable year-on-year decrease of 1.99%.
The weekly uptick was primarily influenced by rising costs of essential food items and certain consumer goods. Notable increases were observed in the prices of chicken (7.17%), potatoes (6.50%), onions (5.10%), and tomatoes (0.66%). Conversely, declines were recorded in garlic (-6.11%), bananas (-5.34%), eggs (-4.79%), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (-0.70%).
Out of the 51 items monitored, 15 (29.41%) saw price increases, 10 (19.61%) experienced decreases, while 26 (50.98%) remained stable during the week.
The year-on-year decline in SPI, the sharpest since comparable data has been available, was largely driven by significant reductions in the prices of onions (-67.46%), wheat flour (-31.63%), and tomatoes (-20.93%). However, some items registered notable annual increases, including ladies’ sandals (55.62%), pulse moong (27.10%), and powdered milk (25.74%).
This mixed inflationary trend reflects the complex dynamics of Pakistan’s current economic landscape, influenced by various factors affecting both food and non-food items.
