Prices of essentials surge further

RAWALPINDI:

Prices of essential commodities, food items, vegetables, fruits, milk, yoghurt, meat and chicken recorded steeper increases during the outgoing fiscal year 2025-26 than in previous years.

With the start of the new fiscal year 2026-27 on Wednesday, prices of many of these items are expected to increase by Rs20 to Rs30 per kilogram and by 15 to 18 per cent from the very first day, while further increases are feared during the first fortnight of July.

According to details, the new federal and Punjab budgets, which include higher taxes, fees and service charges, are expected to keep inflation at elevated levels throughout the year.

Milk, which sold for Rs200 per kilogram on July 1, 2025, increased twice during the year and now costs Rs250 per kilogram.

Yoghurt has risen from Rs220 to Rs280 per kilogram. Mutton has increased from Rs1,800 to Rs2,700 per kilogram, while beef has risen from Rs800 to Rs1,500 per kilogram.

Gram pulse has 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.

Soft drinks have increased from Rs180 to Rs210 per bottle. Chicken has risen from Rs400 to between Rs620 and Rs650 per kilogram, while ghee has increased from Rs450 to Rs550 per pouch and cooking oil from Rs460 to Rs600.