ISLAMABAD, July 8: Pakistani households experienced mixed price trends in June as lower fuel and electricity costs helped offset sharp increases in the prices of vegetables and other essential food items, according to the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The PBS Monthly Review on Price Indices for June 2026 shows that while transport and energy expenses eased, consumers continued to face higher food bills, particularly for tomatoes, onions, potatoes and wheat-based products.
Vegetable Prices Rise Sharply
Tomatoes recorded the steepest monthly increase among commonly consumed food items, with prices rising 90.1% in urban areas and 90.2% in rural markets.
Onion prices increased by 20.8% in cities and 22.3% in rural areas, while potatoes became 17.8% more expensive in urban markets and surged 36.5% in rural areas.
The report also recorded monthly price increases for fresh vegetables, wheat, wheat flour, cooking oil, vegetable ghee and fresh milk, reflecting continued pressure on household grocery expenses.
Fuel, Electricity and Poultry Prices Provide Relief
Despite rising food prices, several major household expenses declined during the month.
Motor fuel prices fell by 12.1% in urban areas and 12.7% in rural areas, while electricity charges declined by 4.3% across both regions.
Poultry products also became more affordable. Chicken prices dropped 22.4% in urban markets and 21.0% in rural areas, while egg prices fell by 10.7% and 11.6%, respectively.
Mixed Trends Across Essential Goods
The PBS data show that while perishable food items recorded notable price increases, several staple pulses became cheaper during June.
Prices of pulse moong, pulse mash, pulse gram, beans and besan all declined. Fish prices also eased in urban areas, while fresh fruits became cheaper in rural markets.
Sugar prices remained largely unchanged in urban areas but recorded a slight increase in rural markets.
Outside the food basket, consumers paid more for several goods and services. Newspaper prices posted double-digit monthly increases in both urban and rural areas. Washing detergents, tailoring services, medical tests, doctor consultation fees and liquefied hydrocarbons also became more expensive.
In rural areas, hospital service charges and construction wage rates also increased during the month.
Annual Price Comparison
The report notes that annual price trends differed from monthly movements.
Compared with June 2025, potatoes, eggs, sugar and several pulses remained cheaper. However, wheat, wheat flour and onions continued to record some of the largest year-on-year increases.
In urban areas, wheat prices were 64.7% higher than a year earlier, while wheat flour rose 55.3%. In rural markets, wheat prices increased by 62.5% and wheat flour by 61.4%.
Onion prices also remained significantly higher than last year, rising 60.1% in urban areas and 83.6% in rural markets.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the June data show that although lower fuel and electricity prices eased some pressure on household budgets, food inflation remained uneven, with fresh vegetables and wheat-based products continuing to drive higher grocery costs.
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