Tag: vegetables

  • Vegetable, fruit prices soar by 150 per cent amid strikes, sit-ins

    Vegetable, fruit prices soar by 150 per cent amid strikes, sit-ins

    The prices of vegetables and fruits have increased by 150 per cent as strikes by trade organisations and sit-ins by political parties in the country take hold.

    Roads in Balochistan have been closed since the past four days to impede the Baloch Yakjehti Council from holding a large gathering in Gwadar, hindering goods-carrying vehicles. Consequentially, the prices of vegetables and fruits in Quetta has risen by 100 to 150 rupees per kilogram.

    Okra, previously retailing for Rs 150 per kilogram, has risen to Rs 400, tomatoes have increased from Rs 80 per kilogram to Rs 140, pumpkin has risen from Rs 120 to Rs 200 per kilogram, while peaches have increased from Rs 100 to Rs 250 per kilogram, and apples have also seen a price increase of Rs 100 per kilogram.

    On the other hand, despite the end of the transporters’ strike across Punjab, traders have been exploiting the situation, driving up food prices even further. Shopkeepers, however, are now reportedly selling spices at more reasonable rates.

    According to citizens, rice and pulse prices have increased by 20 per cent in the market due to the strike. They are calling on the government to reduce food prices.

  • Weekly inflation in Pakistan jumps to 41.07% due to edible oil, sugar prices

    Weekly inflation in Pakistan jumps to 41.07% due to edible oil, sugar prices

    According to data provided by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday, edible oil, sugar, and vegetables helped drive the weekly inflation up to 41.07 percent on an annual basis.

    Sensitive Price Index (SPI) measurements of short-term inflation were still on the high side and would go up much more once customers start to feel the full effects of increased electricity tariffs.

    The cost of bananas, chicken, sugar, cooking oil, gas, and cigarettes increased for the week ending March 2, despite a 0.30 percent weekly decline in inflation.

    Of the 51 items, 32 saw price increases, nine saw price decreases, and 10 witnessed no change in price.

    The items whose prices rose the greatest during the reviewed week in comparison to the same week last year were: onions (311.17 per cent), cigarettes (165.86 per cent), gas charges for Q1 (108.38 per cent), diesel (93.82 per cent), petrol (77.89 per cent), eggs (77.83 per cent), rice irri-6/9 (76.96 per cent), rice basmati broken (75.55 per cent), pulse moong (73.30 per cent), bananas (72.66 per cent), chicken (64.70 per cent) and tea Lipton (64.53 per cent).

    Moreover, the highest year-on-year fall was recorded in the prices of tomatoes (56.29 per cent), chillies powdered (7.42 per cent).

    The prices of bananas (7.34 per cent), long cloth (3.44 per cent), energy saver (3.33 per cent), 1Kg vegetable ghee (2.48 per cent), gur (2.03 per cent), cooked daal (1.87 per cent), Lipton tea (1.79 per cent), match box (1.66 per cent), lawn printed (1.52 per cent), 5-litre cooking oil (1.45 per cent), and sugar (1.07 per cent) experienced the biggest week-on-week increase.

    On the other hand, the prices of onions (13.24 per cent), eggs (6.11 per cent), garlic (4.24 per cent), chicken (2.00 per cent), tomatoes (0.59 per cent), gram pulse (0.38 per cent), and potatoes (0.33 per cent) decreased compared to the previous week. However, LPG (1.84 per cent) and petrol (1.80 per cent) saw an increase in prices.

    The government, under the IMF’s conditions, has been implementing strict measures to cool the economy and curb inflation. The policy rate increase and the general sales tax increase from 17 per cent to 18 per cent are expected to further increase the retail price of consumer goods.

    To generate revenue and bridge the fiscal deficit, the government has already taken several measures, including adopting a market-based exchange rate, increasing fuel and power tariffs, withdrawing subsidies, and imposing more taxes.

    As a result of these measures, the government has revised its annual inflation rate projection from 26 per cent to 31 per cent.

  • Weekly inflation in Pakistan soars 35% from last year’s rates

    Weekly inflation in Pakistan soars 35% from last year’s rates

    The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has reported an increase in the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based inflation for the week ending on February 9th, 2023. The SPI recorded a rise of 0.17 per cent due to heightened prices for both food and non-food items.

    The year-on-year trend shows an increase of 34.83 per cent mainly due to an increase in the prices of onions (507.98 per cent), chicken (93.21 per cent), diesel (81.41 per cent), eggs (79.19 per cent), rice basmati broken (68.92 per cent), petrol (68.77 per cent), rice irri-6/9 (68.26 per cent), pulse moong (66.30 per cent), tea Lipton (63.92 per cent), bananas (61.88per cent), pulse gram (56.80 per cent), bread (50.66 per cent), LPG (50.41 per cent), pulse mash (50.25 per cent) and salt powdered (46.46 per cent), while a decrease is observed in the prices of tomatoes (57.76 per cent), chilies powdered (12.43 per cent) and electricity for q1 (12.31 per cent).

    The SPI for the week under review in the above-mentioned group was recorded at 228.17 points against 227.79 points registered in the previous week, according to the latest PBS data released on Friday.

    During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 29 (56.87 per cent) items increased, 05 (9.80 per cent) items decreased and 17 (33.33 per cent) items remained stable.

    The SPI for the consumption group up to Rs. 17,732 decreased by 0.06 per cent while it increase for Rs. 17,732-22,888, Rs. 22,889-29,517, Rs. 29,518-44,175 and above Rs. 44,175 consumption group increase by 0.02 per cent, 0.10 per cent, 0.14 per cent, and 0.22 per cent respectively.

    The items, which recorded an increase in their average prices during the week over the previous include potatoes (7.15 per cent), chicken (6.94 per cent),  bananas (6.53 per cent), vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib or other superior quality 1 kg pouch each (5.67 per cent), rice basmati broken (3.80 per cent), rice irri-6/9 (3.64 per cent), LPG (3.06 per cent), vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib 2.5 kg tin each (2.71 per cent), cooking oil Dalda or other similar brands (sn), and 5 liter tin each (2.60 per cent).

    Other items which recorded an increase are pulse mash (2.42 per cent), cigarettes capstan 20’s packet each (2.25 per cent), garlic (2.20 per cent), pulse moong (2.20 per cent), mustard oil (2.20 per cent), powdered milk Nido 390 gm polybag each (1.88 per cent), pulse gram (1.87 per cent), curd (1.83 per cent), tea prepared (1.77 per cent), milk fresh (1.52 per cent), matchbox (1.47 per cent), Sufi washing soap (1.39 per cent), bread plain (1.25 per cent), pulse masoor (1.23 per cent), energy saver Philips (0.79 per cent), salt powdered (0.65 per cent), firewood whole 40 kg (0.60 per cent), cooked daal (0.52 per cent), gur (0.31 per cent) and cooked beef (0.09 per cent).

    The commodities, which recorded a decrease in their average prices included onions (9.83 per cent), tomatoes (5.40 per cent), eggs (3.40 per cent), wheat flour bag 20 kg (2.71 per cent), and sugar (0.31 per cent).

  • Weekly inflation jumps by over 29% due to rising food prices

    Weekly inflation jumps by over 29% due to rising food prices

    The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based inflation for the week ended December 29, recorded a decline of 0.09 per cent due to a reduction in the prices of food and non-food items, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    The year-on-year trend shows an increase of 29.30 per cent owing to an increase in the prices of onions (498.08 per cent), tea lipton (65.41 per cent), diesel (65.05 per cent), chicken (64.20 per cent), petrol (52.19 per cent), salt powdered (51.99 per cent), eggs (49.11 per cent), pulse moong (46.94 per cent), bananas (45.06 per cent), pulse gram (44.42 per cent) and mustard oil (41.64 per cent), while decrease is observed in the prices of chillies powdered (34.18 per cent), electricity for q1 (13.96 per cent) and gur (1.38 per cent).

    During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 23 (45.10 per cent) items increased, 07 (13.72 per cent) items decreased and 21 (41.18 per cent) items remained stable.

    The SPI for the consumption group up to Rs17,732, Rs17,732-22,888, Rs22,889-29,517 and above Rs44,175 decreased by 0.07 per cent, 0.12 per cent, 0.03 per cent and 0.12 per cent respectively while it increased by 0.02 per cent for the consumption group Rs29,518-44,175.

    The items, which recorded an increase in their average prices during the week over previous include eggs (2.86 per cent), rice basmati broken (2.81 per cent), wheat flour bag 20 kg (2.81 per cent), bread plain (2.76 per cent), firewood whole 40 kg (2.49 per cent), LPG (1.61 per cent), energy saver (1.27 per cent), bananas (1.18 per cent), gur (0.99 per cent), garlic (0.90 per cent), pulse masoor (0.80 per cent), mustard oil (0.72 per cent), rice irri-6/9 (0.60 per cent), pulse mash (0.54 per cent), tea prepared (0.45 per cent), sufi washing soap (0.28 per cent), pulse gram (0.26 per cent), onions (0.25 per cent), curd (0.23 per cent), chicken (0.20 per cent), milk fresh (0.15 per cent), pulse moong (0.12 per cent) and beef with bone (0.02 per cent).

    The items, which saw a reduction in their average prices included potatoes (8.85 per cent), tomatoes (6.02 per cent), electricity charges (2.44 per cent), vegetable ghee dalda/habib (1.47 per cent), sugar (1.22 per cent), vegetable ghee dalda/habib or other superior quality 1 kg pouch each (0.45 per cent) and cooking oil dalda or other similar brand (sn), 5 litre tin each (0.04 per cent).

  • Weekly inflation increases 0.94% as food prices rise

    Weekly inflation increases 0.94% as food prices rise

    Owing to an increase in the prices of food items, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation for the week ending September 29 increased by 0.94 per cent.

    The items which saw an increase in prices include onions (47.77 per cent), tomatoes (30.29 per cent), tea Lipton (2.50 per cent), bread (1.74 per cent) and non-food item, washing soap (1.13 per cent), according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    Moreover, the year-on-year trend recorded an increase of 30.62 per cent, mainly due to a surge in prices of tomatoes (224.20 per cent), onions (139.03 per cent), diesel (105.12 per cent), petrol (91.87 per cent), pulse gram (74.56 per cent, masoor (72.42 per cent), mustard oil (64.53 per cent), washing soap (63.33 per cent), cooking oil 5 litre (61.78 per cent), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (58.37 per cent), maash (57.36 per cent), vegetable ghee 1kg (55.89 per cent), gents sponge chappal (52.21 per cent), and moong (47.96 per cent), while decrease observed in the prices of electricity for q1 (45.61 per cent), chillies powder (42.73 per cent), sugar (18.27 per cent), and gur (1.92 per cent).

    According to the most recent PBS data issued on Friday, the SPI for the week under review in the aforementioned category was recorded at 205.13 points as opposed to 203.21 points observed in the previous week.

  • Pakistan to import vegetables from neighbouring countries to overcome shortage

    Pakistan to import vegetables from neighbouring countries to overcome shortage

    After devastating floods ravaged the nation, Pakistani officials made the decision to import onions and tomatoes from Iran and Afghanistan due to the rising prices and imminent food crisis.

    The production and supply of vegetables and other crops has been impacted by the recent torrential rains and flooding.

    At a meeting presided over by Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar, the Ministry of Commerce made the announcement. The minister also examined the country’s supply of tomatoes and onions.

    To address the nationwide demand for these crops, the session voted to facilitate the import of onions and tomatoes from Afghanistan and Iran.

    According to The News, the panellists predicted that there will be a tomato and onion shortage in the nation within the next three months. They also stated that because recent flooding has harmed crops, a shortage and price increase are anticipated.

    The News reports that the importation of tomatoes and onions will help to uplift their availability and maintain their pricing.

    The Ministry of Commerce would collaborate with the FBR and the Ministry of National Food Security, it was decided at the meeting. The session also resolved to request reductions in taxes and charges from the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee for imported tomatoes and onions.

    Earlier, Qamar had emphasised the importance of taking quick action to make tomatoes and onions available to consumers and to stabilise the skyrocketing costs of these commodities. Due to a lack of supply in the market as a result of recent floods, the price of onions and tomatoes has reached Rs 300 per kg.

  • Retailers in Lahore continue to overcharge for food items

    Retailers in Lahore continue to overcharge for food items

    Lahore residents are forced to pay high prices for basic food items since a number of store owners refuse to sell basic items at the government-recommended price list.

    Those who complain about price violations are asked to shop elsewhere where the items are offered at legal prices.

    The price of chicken was recently cut by Rs5 per kg to Rs226 per kg, which is being sold at Rs250–Rs280 per kg. The price of chicken meat was decreased by Rs8 per kg, to Rs339 per kg, while it is being sold at Rs360–Rs600 per kg.

    Although cucumber farm prices were reduced by Rs35 and maintained at between Rs35 and Rs37 per kg, they are now being sold for over double that amount. Cucumber is currently available for Rs70-Rs80 in different areas of Lahore.

    Local lemon prices increased by Rs10 per kg and were set at Rs180–Rs185 per kg. The price per kg is between Rs220 and Rs240. The price of pumpkin was reduced by Rs85 per kg and set at Rs65–Rs68 per kg. Still, it is priced between Rs80 and Rs100 per kg.

    Originally priced at Rs75–Rs80 per kg, tomato A-grade is selling for Rs120–Rs140 per kg.

  • Annual inflation in Pakistan jumps to 38.63% after weekly increase of 0.82%

    Annual inflation in Pakistan jumps to 38.63% after weekly increase of 0.82%

    The sensitive price indicator (SPI) hit an annualised high of 38.63 per cent due to a lack of perishable goods brought on by severe rains, and weekly inflation increased by 0.82 per cent for the seven days ending August 4, 2022.

    The base for most cooked meals in the country is an onion and tomato. Onions increased in price from Rs75.41/kg to Rs94.2/kg while tomatoes increased from Rs74.07/kg to Rs82.91/kg.

    Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) indicates that the increase is attributable to the increased price of diesel (109.15 per cent), onions (107.95 per cent), pulse masoor (106.71 per cent), petrol (88.94 per cent), cooking oil 5 litre (74.44 per cent), mustard oil (73.89 per cent), chicken (73.42 per cent), vegetable ghee 1 kg and 2 kg (72.26 and 70.48 per cent), washing soap (62.62 per cent), pulse gramme (59.07 per cent), electricity for Q1 (52.61 per cent), gents sponge slippers (52.21 per cent), pulse maash (46.01 per cent) and garlic (41.16 per cent).

    According to The News, consumers are struggling with soaring food and fuel prices. Hi-speed diesel was being sold last August 5 for Rs117.58 per litre, but it is now Rs245.92 per litre.

    Various items in the SPI basket are given varying weightages. The goods with the heaviest weights in the bottom quintile are milk (17.5449 per cent), electricity (8.3627 per cent), wheat flour (6.1372 per cent), sugar (5.1148 per cent), firewood (5.0183 per cent), long cloth (4.2221 per cent), and vegetable ghee (3.2833 per cent).

    While the cost of firewood and electricity remained consistent, the cost of milk, wheat flour, sugar, long fabric, and vegetable ghee 2.5kg increased. Vegetable ghee 1kg saw a decrease in price.

    SPI is made up of 51 necessities that were gathered from 50 markets spread over 17 cities across the nation.

    Out of 51 goods, 33 (64.71 per cent) of the prices rose during the week, 4 (7.84 per cent) of the prices fell, and only 14 (27.45 per cent) of the prices kept the same.

    The price of onions increased by 24.92 per cent, tomatoes by 11.93 per cent, pulse moong by 5.72 per cent, pulse mash by 5.28 per cent, potatoes by 5.03 per cent, pulse masoor by 4.43 per cent, diesel by 3.78 per cent, pulse gramme by 2.69 per cent, eggs by 2.44 per cent, powdered milk by 1.61 per cent, gur by 1.53 per cent, LPG by 1.49 per cent, salt by 1.46 per cent, and garlic by 1.30 per cent on a WoW basis.

  • Food price hikes pushes weekly inflation to 3.38 per cent

    Food price hikes pushes weekly inflation to 3.38 per cent

    According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ended June 16, 2022, surged by 3.38 per cent due to increases in the prices of food and non-food items.

    The year-over-year (YoY) trend indicates a 27.82 per cent rise, owing primarily to an increase in rates of following:

    Onions (135.31 per cent), diesel (132.61 per cent), tomatoes (117.27 per cent), petrol (110.16 per cent), vegetable ghee 1 kg (81.76 per cent), mustard oil (80.88 per cent), pulse Masoor (74.77 per cent), cooking oil 5 litre (71.52 per cent), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (68.47 per cent), LPG (60.97 per cent), garlic (57.72 per cent), washing soap (52.73 per cent), garlic (57.72 per cent (51.11 per cent).

    On the flip side, a considerable decrease was reported in prices of chilli powder (43.42 per cent), pulse Moong (18.06 per cent), sugar (10.79 per cent), bananas (0.83 per cent), gur (0.45 per cent).

    According to the most recent data, the SPI increased from 182.88 per cent to 189.07 per cent during the week ended June 9, 2022.

    The SPI increased by 2.85 per cent, 3.45 per cent, 3.10 per cent, 3.12 per cent, and 3.10 per cent for consumption groups up to Rs17,732 and Rs17,733 to Rs22,888, Rs22,889 to Rs29,517, and Rs29,518 to Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175 respectively.

    According to the PBS, out of 51 items, 36 (70.59 per cent) increased in price, 06 (11.76 per cent) decreased in price, and 09 (17.65 per cent) remained stable during the week.

    Increase: Vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib or other superior quality 1 kg pouch each (4.95 per cent), tea prepared (4.83 per cent), bread plain (4.37 per cent), toilet soap Lifebuoy (4.13 per cent), pulse Masoor (3.50 per cent), cooking oil Dalda 5 litre tin each (2.87 per cent), Sufi washing soap (2.33 per cent), mustard oil (2.24 per cent), vegetable ghee Dalda/Habib 2.5 kg tin each (1.93 per cent), pulse Mash (1.71 per cent), beef with bone (1.50 per cent), energy saver (1.04 per cent), curd (1.01 per cent), mutton (0.89 per cent), eggs (0.85 per cent), salt powdered (0.79 per cent), lawn printed Gul Ahmed/Al Karam (0.77 per cent), basmati broken (0.68 per cent), garlic (0.59 per cent), tomatoes (0.49 per cent), milk fresh (0.45 per cent), powdered milk Nido (0.41 per cent).

  • Turkey: Food prices surged by 89 per cent, transportation costs increased by 106 per cent

    Turkey: Food prices surged by 89 per cent, transportation costs increased by 106 per cent

    Turkey’s inflation rate skyrocketed to almost 70 per cent last month, creating a substantial challenge for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose unusual economic strategies are frequently blamed for the country’s economic woes.

    Erdogan, defying economic conventional wisdom, insists that major interest rate cuts are essential to reduce spiralling consumer costs.

    Turkey’s consumer price index (CPI) climbed by 69.97 per cent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in April 2022, compared to 61.14 per cent in March 2022, according to the national statistics agency, indicating a massive increase.

    The transportation industry saw the largest price rises in April, up 105.9 per cent, while food and non-alcoholic drinks cost increased by 89.1 per cent.

    Likewise, lira’s depreciation has quadrupled the cost of energy imports, and international investors are progressively fleeing the formerly emerging economy. Energy price hikes and production constraints have been worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the coronavirus outbreak.

    According to economists, Turkey’s yearly inflation rate – the highest since Erdogan’s ruling AKP party took office in 2002 – is entirely due to Erdogan’s unusual economic thinking.

    Read more: Transporters continue to overcharge ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr

    Erdogan has pushed the supposedly independent central bank to reduce interest rates. Despite strong inflation, the bank maintained its benchmark interest rate for the fourth month in a row in April, yielding to criticism.