Karachi, March 1, 2025 – Inflation in Pakistan continues to rise as the country prepares for Ramadan, with the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) reflecting a further increase in the cost of essential commodities.
The weekly inflation rate, measured through the SPI, surged by 0.38% on a Week-on-Week (WoW) basis for the period ending February 27, 2025.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) compiles the SPI on a weekly basis to track price fluctuations in essential goods across 50 markets in 17 cities nationwide. The SPI consists of 51 key items, allowing authorities to monitor and address price trends effectively.
According to PBS data, the SPI inflation for the week ending February 27, 2025, recorded a 0.38% increase, primarily driven by price hikes in essential food and consumer items. The most notable increases were observed in the prices of Tomatoes (11.49%), Bananas (8.32%), Eggs (5.43%), Chicken (4.13%), Potatoes (2.79%), Onions (2.04%), Beef (1.68%), Sugar (1.55%), and Cigarettes (0.51%).
Conversely, some commodities saw price reductions, providing slight relief amid rising inflation. The most significant declines were recorded in Tea Lipton (-6.62%), Bread (-1.67%), Pulse Mash (-1.12%), Mustard Oil (-1.08%), Garlic (-1.00%), LPG (-0.37%), Vegetable Ghee 1 kg (-0.32%), Pulse Gram (-0.21%), and Vegetable Ghee 2.5 kg (-0.11%).
During the week, out of 51 monitored items, 19 items (37.25%) increased in price, 11 items (21.57%) saw price reductions, while 21 items (41.18%) remained stable.
On a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis, the SPI revealed an inflation increase of 0.32%, with notable surges in Ladies Sandal (75.09%), Pulse Moong (28.47%), Bananas (27.78%), Pulse Gram (25.93%), Powdered Milk (25.86%), Beef (24.12%), and Potatoes (23.24%). Meanwhile, significant price reductions were observed in Onions (-50.26%), Tomatoes (-48.14%), Wheat Flour (-36.99%), Chilies Powder (-20.00%), Electricity Charges (-18.92%), Pulse Mash (-12.16%), Tea Lipton (-12.09%), Pulse Masoor (-11.23%), and Rice Basmati Broken (-8.47%).
With inflation continuing its upward trend, policymakers and economic analysts are closely monitoring SPI fluctuations to mitigate further economic strain on consumers ahead of Ramadan.