Prices soar ahead of budget announcement

Express Tribune

24-05-2025

As the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 approaches, the prices of essential food items in the open market have begun to rise sharply.
Shoppers and vendors alike are reporting noticeable increases in the cost of basic commodities such as sugar, flour, rice, pulses, cooking oil, and ghee.
The supply of these goods has also reportedly decreased, compounding the problem and fuelling further speculation over price hikes.
Market sources suggest that traders have begun stockpiling items that are expected to be taxed at higher rates in the new budget.
This hoarding is contributing to artificial shortages and pushing prices upward across multiple categories of daily necessities.
According to current market trends, the price of live chicken has reached Rs415 per kilogramme, while chicken meat is selling at Rs650 per kilogramme.
Eggs, previously priced at Rs270 per dozen, have risen to Rs290. Mutton is being sold at Rs2,400 per kilogramme, and beef at Rs1,400 per kilogramme.
Fresh milk is now Rs220 per litre, and yogurt is available for Rs240 per kilogramme.
Grains and pulses have also seen substantial increases. Rice is priced at Rs400 per kilogramme, split chickpeas at Rs380, and white chickpeas at Rs390 per kilogramme.
Cooking oil and ghee are being sold at Rs510 and Rs500 per packet, respectively.
Vegetables and fruits are similarly affected. Potatoes, onions, and tomatoes are now selling at Rs50 to Rs60 per kilogramme.
Garlic is priced at Rs200, ginger at Rs600, and lemons have reached Rs800 per kilogramme. Green chilies are available at Rs150 per kilogramme, while a bundle of fresh coriander is being sold for Rs30.
Among other vegetables, okra is priced at Rs160 per kilogramme, arvi at Rs200, radish at Rs40, and peas at Rs200 per kilogramme.
Seasonal fruits have also experienced an uptick.
Apples range between Rs300 to Rs350 per kilogramme, guavas at Rs200 to Rs250, apricots and loquats at Rs200, and mangoes between Rs200 to Rs300 per kilogramme.
Watermelons are being sold at Rs50 per kilogramme, while melons and cantaloupes are priced at Rs100. Peaches are fetching Rs200 to Rs300 per kilogramme, cherries at Rs300 per box, and bananas at Rs200 to Rs240 per dozen.
Consumers fear that these prices may rise even further once the budget is formally announced, as uncertainty over new tax policies and supply disruptions continue to drive inflation in household goods.