Weekly SPI increases by 0.97%

March 27, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.97% for the week ended March 26, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The data highlights that the major increase is observed in the prices of Onions (18.10%), Tomatoes (11.38%), LPG (10.05%), Chicken (8.70%), Potatoes (8.11%), Electricity Charges for Q1 (6.11%), Eggs (3.54%), Garlic (3.23%), Mutton (2.55%), Beef (1.52%), Georgette (0.38%) and Firewood (0.34%).

On the other hand, decrease is observed in the prices of Bananas (4.50%), Wheat Flour (1.00%), Sugar (0.29%), Gur (0.20%) and Pulse Moong & Rice IRRI-6/9 (0.17%) each.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 23 (45.10%) items increased, 06 (11.76%) items decreased and 22 (43.14%) items remained stable. 

On an annual basis, the SPI showed a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 8.24%.

Major increase is observed in the prices of LPG (34.73%), Diesel (29.94%), Gas Charges for Q1 (29.85%), Wheat Flour (25.76%), Petrol (25.75%), Onions (25.07%), Chilies Powder (15.20%), Beef (13.08%), Mutton (12.41%), Powdered Milk (10.10%), Rice Basmati Broken (6.51%) and Gur (6.31%).

However, major decrease is observed in the prices of Potatoes (45.71%), Pulse Gram (17.54%), Eggs (13.63%), Garlic (12.92%), Salt Powder (12.55%), Chicken (11.94%), Pulse Masoor (11.62%) and Sugar (11.34%).

The average price of Sona Urea stood at Rs 4,485 per 50 kg bag, which is 0.78% higher from last week’s price, and down 0.65% compared to last year.

Meanwhile, the average Cement price is at Rs1,483 per 50 kg bag, which is 0.68% higher than the previous week, and 7.32% higher than prices last year. 

The SPI, which tracks price movements of 51 essential commodities from 50 markets across 17 cities, serves as a key barometer of short-term inflation trends in Pakistan.

The indicator is computed on a weekly basis to assess price movements of essential items at shorter intervals, enabling policymakers to review the country's price situation in near real-time.

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