MM News

As evidenced by the state of soaring vegetable prices, the inflation rate is not showing any indications of slowing down contrary to the government claims that it would in the coming weeks.

The price of tomatoes in Karachi has increased from 40 to 50 rupees per kilogram to 200 rupees per kilogram.

Potato, ridge gourd (tori), and okra (commonly known as ladyfinger) prices are also soaring.

In Karachi’s marketplaces, where inflation is rife, the price of a first-grade tomato is set at Rs133 per kg, whereas the product generally sells for Rs180 to Rs200 per kg.

The red potato is being sold for Rs100 and Rs110 per kg instead of the announced rate of Rs91.

Also read: Flour, sugar prices hit record high in Karachi

The price of cauliflower is Rs250 per kg instead of the Rs203 fixed by the authorities, while ridge gourd or tori is being sold for Rs150 per kg instead of Rs113.

Similarly, ladyfinger or okra is being sold at Rs250 per kg instead of Rs193.

Earlier, the weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), witnessed an increase of 0.33 per cent for the combined consumption group during the week ended on July 13, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

The SPI for the week under review in the above-mentioned group was recorded at 258.63 points as compared to 257.79 points during the past week, according to the PBS data.

As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 28.96 per cent.