According to figures released by the PBS, the Yearly Inflation rate in August 2017 was 3.42 percent compared to 2.91 percent in July 2017 and 3.56 percent in August 2016.
The July-August average inflation is 3.16 percent compared to 3.84 percent from the corresponding period last year.
The figures are in line with Market Expectation of Inflation for August, which was between 3.20 % and 3.60%
Consumer Price Index – Breakdown
Highest increases in food items were witnessed by Onions +33%, Tomatoes +26%, Sugar 7% and Eggs 2.22% whereas prices for Chicken were down by 6 percent with fresh fruits witnessing a decline of 5.71 percent. In the non food items category, the prices for construction wages rate increased by 1.32 percent owing to the holiday season at the end of August.
Year on year prices increases in Food items were led by Onions +44.08%, Chicken +14.15%, Rice +14% and Fresh Fruits+14%. However, Prices for Tomatoes -20%, Cigarettes -16% and Sugar -16% declined considerably on year on year basis. In the Non-Food items category, prices for Drugs & Medicines+19%, Education +11% & Tailoring +9% were higher.
Wholesale Price Index – Breakdown
On a month on month basis, Wholesale Prices for Stimulant & Spice Crops +11%, Sugar +9%, and vegetables +3.81% were relatively higher compared against the last month. Whereas Wholesale prices for Fruits -10%, Potatoes -6.36%, Poultry -5.44%, and diesel -1.79% declined by their corresponding values.
On a yearly basis, Wholesale Prices for Furnace Oil +34%, Stimulant & Spice Crops +29%, Poultry +23% and Glass Sheets 21% were higher whereas wholesale prices for Hides & Fur Skins -33%, Tobacco Products -27%, Bajra -27%, Sugar -17.32% all witnessed a decline by their corresponding values.
