Official statistics show sharp year-on-year increases in onion, tomato, flour and fuel prices, while potatoes, sugar and chicken became cheaper.
ISLAMABAD: Onion and tomato prices recorded some of the sharpest year-on-year increases among essential food items, with onion prices rising more than 132% and tomato prices increasing by over 93%, according to the latest data released by the Bureau of Statistics.
The data showed that onion prices increased by 132.52% compared with the same period a year earlier, making the vegetable one of the biggest contributors to higher food costs. Tomato prices followed with a 93.21% increase, adding further pressure to household budgets.
Among other essential commodities, flour prices rose by 62.25% during the year, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) became 51.69% more expensive.
Fuel prices also recorded substantial increases. Diesel prices rose by 33.08%, while petrol prices increased by 27.65%, raising transportation and household expenditure pressures.
The data showed that banana prices increased by 17.66% year on year. Mutton became 15.98% more expensive, while beef prices rose by 13.54%.
However, several essential food items recorded declines over the same period, offering some relief to consumers.
Potato prices fell by around 30%, while sugar prices declined by 19.10%. Chicken became 17.68% cheaper compared with a year earlier.
Egg prices also decreased by 17.41% year on year, while gram prices fell by more than 13%.
The statistics further showed that lentils and masoor prices declined by 12.29%, while jaggery became around 6% cheaper.
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