Essential food prices rise sharply ahead of new fiscal year
Essential food items posted sharp increases during fiscal year 2025-26, with more hikes expected from the start of 2026-27. Dairy, meat, pulses, cooking oil and chicken were among the items that became significantly costlier.
ISLAMABAD: Prices of key household food items climbed steeply during fiscal year 2025-26 and are expected to rise further from the start of the new fiscal year on Wednesday, with increases of Rs20 to Rs30 per kilogram and 15 to 18 per cent forecast on a range of goods.
The new federal and Punjab budgets carry higher taxes, fees and service charges that are expected to keep inflation pressure elevated through 2026-27. More price increases are feared during the first fortnight of July.
Dairy and meat products recorded major increases over the past year. Milk, priced at Rs200 per kilogram on July 1, 2025, was increased twice and now sells for Rs250 per kilogram, while yoghurt went up from Rs220 to Rs280 per kilogram. Mutton rose from Rs1,800 to Rs2,700 per kilogram and beef from Rs800 to Rs1,500 per kilogram. Chicken also became significantly more expensive, increasing from Rs400 to between Rs620 and Rs650 per kilogram.
Several grocery staples also posted higher rates. Gram pulse increased from Rs300 to Rs380-390 per kilogram, white chickpeas from Rs380 to Rs430, mash pulse from Rs500 to Rs600, and red kidney beans from Rs400 to Rs500 per kilogram. Among packaged items, soft drinks rose from Rs180 to Rs210 per bottle, while ghee increased from Rs450 to Rs550 per pouch and cooking oil from Rs460 to Rs600.
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