SPI shows rise in essential food and fuel prices amid mixed trends in commodities
Weekly inflation in Pakistan rose by 0.47% for the week ended May 14, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), which tracks price movements of essential commodities on a weekly basis, is compiled from 51 items collected across 50 markets in 17 cities.
The latest data shows broad-based price increases in several essential goods, particularly vegetables, fuel, and transport-related items.
Among the major increases, tomato prices surged by 22.13%, followed by gents sponge chappal at 16.69% and ladies sandals at 7.15%.
Wheat flour rose by 4.94%, while diesel and petrol prices increased by 3.76% and 3.73% respectively. Other items that recorded price hikes included onions (2.98%), bananas (1.93%), potatoes (0.74%), fresh milk (0.48%), curd (0.54%), and sugar (0.46%).
On the other hand, several commodities recorded declines during the week. Chicken prices fell by 6.34%, eggs by 3.83%, garlic by 2.20%, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 1.23%.
A total of 23 out of 51 monitored items (45.10%) saw price increases, while 9 items (17.65%) declined and 19 items (37.25%) remained unchanged.
On a year-on-year basis, inflation rose by 14.52%, reflecting sustained pressure on household budgets.
The data showed sharp annual increases in key essentials such as petrol (64.23%), diesel (61.61%), wheat flour (57.56%), electricity charges (52.58%), onions (50.06%), LPG (48.34%), and tomatoes (40.66%).
However, some commodities recorded declines over the year, including potatoes (43.07%), chicken (20.67%), eggs (18.22%), sugar (15.04%), and various pulses.
Economists said the mixed inflation trend reflects ongoing volatility in food and energy markets, with fuel and perishable items continuing to drive short-term price fluctuations.
They added that stabilizing energy costs and improving supply chain efficiency would be key to easing inflationary pressure in the coming months.