A sharp increase in petroleum prices has triggered a spike in food costs, with chicken prices in Peshawar rising substantially in just one day.
According to reports, the price of live chicken jumped by Rs35 per kilogram, reaching Rs490 per kg compared to Rs455 a day earlier.
The price of chicken meat has also surged, climbing to around Rs780 per kg, adding further pressure on consumers already grappling with rising living costs.
Traders and analysts attribute the sudden increase to higher transportation and logistics expenses following the latest hike in petroleum product prices across Pakistan. Fuel price adjustments often have a cascading effect on essential commodities, particularly perishable food items like poultry.
Pakistan has seen repeated fluctuations in petroleum prices in recent months, largely influenced by global oil market trends and domestic economic policies. These increases have contributed to broader inflationary pressures, affecting both urban and rural households.
Official data reflects this trend. The country’s inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index, stood at 7.3% year-on-year in March 2026, compared to 7% in February and just 0.7% in March 2025. Meanwhile, the Sensitive Price Index recorded a weekly increase of 1.01% for the period ending April 2.
The rise in inflation has been partly driven by a sharp increase in energy costs. Notably, prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) surged by 13.28% خلال the same week, further compounding the cost of living crisis.
