Pakistan SPI Inflation continued its upward movement as short-term inflation, measured through the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), rose by 0.12 percent on a weekly basis, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). On a year-on-year basis, SPI recorded a notable 3.20 percent increase, highlighting persistent price pressures on essential consumer goods across the country.
The SPI serves as a critical indicator for tracking short-term inflation trends in Pakistan and reflects changes in the cost of living for households, especially low- and middle-income groups.
Pakistan SPI Inflation: Weekly Price Movement Snapshot
During the reported week, PBS monitored 51 essential commodities across 50 markets in 17 major cities. The data shows a mixed inflationary trend:
• Prices of 21 items (41.18%) increased
• Prices of 8 items (15.68%) declined
• Prices of 22 items (43.14%) remained unchanged
This price dispersion indicates continued volatility in food and energy items, which remain the primary drivers of Pakistan SPI Inflation.
Key Weekly Price Increases Driving Pakistan SPI Inflation
The most significant weekly increase was recorded in wheat flour, which surged by 5.07 percent, reinforcing concerns over food inflation. Other notable price hikes included:
• Chicken rising by 2.86 percent
• Garlic increasing by 2.44 percent
• Chilies powder climbing 1.01 percent
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) up 0.88 percent
• Tea (prepared) higher by 0.73 percent
• Shirting fabric rising 0.56 percent
• Sugar increasing 0.58 percent
• Bread edging up 0.22 percent
These increases reflect supply-side constraints and seasonal demand pressures contributing to Pakistan SPI Inflation.
Items Recording Weekly Price Declines
On the relief side, several perishable food items experienced a decline in prices:
• Potatoes fell by 3.73 percent
• Onions declined 2.20 percent
• Pulse gram dropped 1.51 percent
• Eggs eased 1.44 percent
• Pulse mash fell 0.65 percent
• Pulse masoor declined 0.38 percent
• Bananas dipped 0.21 percent
• Tomatoes edged lower by 0.05 percent
Despite these reductions, the overall SPI remained positive due to sharp increases in staple food items.
Pakistan SPI Inflation: Year-on-Year Trend Analysis
On an annual basis, Pakistan SPI Inflation increased by 2.83 percent for the current week, underlining structural inflationary pressures.
Major Yearly Price Increases
• Wheat flour surged by a massive 31.12 percent
• Gas charges (Q1) jumped 29.85 percent
• Beef increased 13.15 percent
• Chilies powder rose 13.01 percent
• Sugar climbed 11.18 percent
• Bananas and firewood increased 10.57 percent each
• Gur (jaggery) rose 10.50 percent
• Powdered milk increased 9.51 percent
• Eggs surged 8.03 percent
These figures indicate that food and energy inflation remain key contributors to Pakistan’s overall inflation trajectory.
Significant Annual Price Declines Offering Some Relief
Several items recorded sharp year-on-year declines, particularly vegetables:
• Tomatoes plunged 57.04 percent
• Potatoes dropped 48.71 percent
• Onions declined 41.33 percent
• Garlic fell 39.07 percent
• Pulse gram decreased 30.97 percent
• Tea (Lipton) down 17.79 percent
• Diesel eased 0.30 percent
These declines helped partially offset broader inflationary pressures.
Industrial Inputs: Fertilizer and Cement Prices
Beyond food items, essential industrial inputs also showed marginal movements:
• The average price of Sona urea stood at Rs4,346 per 50 kg bag, reflecting a 0.54 percent weekly increase, though still 4.19 percent lower than last year.
• Cement prices averaged Rs1,404 per 50 kg bag, showing a 0.20 percent weekly decline, but remained 0.48 percent higher year-on-year.
Why Pakistan SPI Inflation Matters
PBS calculates Pakistan SPI Inflation on a weekly basis to provide policymakers with real-time insights into price trends. The SPI plays a crucial role in assessing inflationary risks, shaping monetary policy decisions, and guiding government interventions aimed at price stabilization.
As inflationary pressures persist, especially in staple food and utility items, SPI data will remain central to understanding Pakistan’s short-term economic outlook.