Weekly SPI decreases by 0.33%

May 22, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), decreased by 0.33% for the week ended May 21, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). 

The data highlights that the major decrease is observed in the prices of Chicken (8.56%), Electricity Charges for Q1 (6.08%), Garlic (3.53%), Pulse Moong (1.45%), Petrol & Diesel (1.21%) each, LPG (0.87%), Pulse Gram (0.26%), Bananas (0.18%), Eggs (0.10%) and Pulse Mash (0.01%).

On the other hand, major increase is observed in the prices of Tomatoes (7.17%), Onions (6.08%), Wheat Flour (1.84%), Long Cloth (0.97%), Georgette (0.95%), Potatoes (0.87%), Cooked Daal (0.72%), Tea Prepared (0.42%), Cooking Oil 5 Liter & Curd (0.34%) each, Shirting (0.14%) and Lawn Printed (0.06%).

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 26 (50.98%) items increased, 11 (21.57%) items decreased and 14 (27.45%) items remained stable.

On an annual basis, the SPI showed a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 14.47%.

Major increase is observed in the prices of Onions (68.33%), Petrol (62.24%), Diesel (60.90%), Wheat Flour (59.45%), LPG (50.73%), Electricity Charges for Q1 (43.30%), Tomatoes (34.58%), Mutton (15.86%), Chilies Powder (15.20%), Garlic (13.39%), Beef (12.92%) and Bananas (10.55%).

However, decrease is observed in the prices of Potatoes (42.02%), Eggs (24.47%), Pulse Gram (21.84%), Chicken (21.79%), Sugar (14.95%), Salt Powder (13.26%), Pulse Masoor (11.83%) and Pulse Moong (4.21%).

The average price of Sona Urea stood at Rs 4,614 per 50 kg bag, which is 0.30% lower from last week’s price, and up 3.20% compared to last year.

Meanwhile, the average Cement price is at Rs1,526 per 50 kg bag, which is 0.27% lower than the previous week, and 7.62% 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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