by Egg Pakistan’s inflationary trends continue to paint a complex picture of the country’s economy, as the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows a mixed movement in essential food prices. While chicken prices have dropped, offering some relief to households, egg prices have increased notably. The overall Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ending October 24, 2025, rose by 0.22%, highlighting that inflationary pressures persist, especially in food and energy sectors.
This seemingly modest rise in weekly inflation underscores the ongoing volatility in Pakistan’s commodity markets, where prices are highly sensitive to supply chain fluctuations, seasonal trends, and shifts in consumer demand. The week’s data offers valuable insight into how global and domestic factors are interacting to shape household expenses — particularly for low- and middle-income families.
Overview of Weekly Inflation
According to the latest figures, the SPI — which tracks the prices of 51 essential items across 17 urban centers — registered a Egg 0.22% increase compared to the previous week. This uptick might appear minor, but when broken down by income groups, it represents a deeper concern for vulnerable households who spend a large portion of their income on food.
The inflation rise was driven mainly by price increases in key food items such as eggs, wheat flour, onions, tomatoes, and some pulses. Conversely, declines in chicken, sugar, and certain vegetables slightly offset the overall upward pressure. The PBS data also reveals that year-on-year inflation for the week remains above Egg 20%, indicating that despite some stabilization in major commodities, affordability continues to erode for many consumers.
Chicken Prices Decline: Relief Amid Rising Costs
Chicken, one of the most widely consumed sources of protein in Pakistan, has seen a price reduction over the week. Retail markets across major cities reported a drop ranging between Rs10 to Rs20 per kilogram, depending on the region. This decline comes after weeks of steady price hikes fueled by high feed costs, transportation challenges, and limited supply from poultry farms.
The recent dip is attributed to several factors:
- Improved Supply Chain: With feed imports stabilizing and transportation disruptions easing, poultry producers have been able to maintain consistent supply to urban centers.
- Reduced Consumer Demand: The rise in other essential expenses has forced many consumers to cut down on meat purchases, prompting sellers to lower prices to sustain sales volume.
- Seasonal Adjustments: As the weather turns cooler, demand for chicken tends to normalize, reducing price pressure that typically builds up during the summer months.
For many families, the drop in chicken prices provides a temporary reprieve, particularly since meat inflation had previously become a major contributor to household spending increases. However, industry experts warn that this relief may be short-lived if feed costs rise again or if the rupee depreciates further, impacting imported raw materials like soybean meal and maize.
Egg Prices on the Rise: Seasonal Demand and Cost Pressures
While chicken prices are on the decline, the cost of eggs has risen notably, with an average increase of Rs10 to Rs15 per dozen across urban markets. As the winter season approaches, eggs become a staple in Pakistani households — used extensively in breakfasts, snacks, and bakery products.
This seasonal spike in demand is the primary driver behind the price hike. However, other underlying factors are also contributing:
- Production Costs: Poultry feed, electricity, and fuel prices have increased, impacting farm operating expenses.
- Supply Constraints: Some farmers reduced egg production earlier in the year due to low profit margins, leading to a supply gap as demand surged.
- Distribution Costs: Rising transport fares and fuel prices continue to push overall logistics costs upward, reflected in retail pricing.
Economists note that while seasonal demand patterns are expected, the rate of increase in egg prices this year is higher than usual, indicating persistent cost pressures in the poultry industry. If these trends continue, consumers may experience sustained high prices through the winter months.
Other Commodities Showing Price Movement
Beyond poultry and eggs, the weekly report also highlights mixed trends in other essential items. Prices of wheat flour, onions, tomatoes, and certain pulses have edged upward due to disruptions in domestic supply chains and increased demand ahead of the winter season.
Conversely, sugar and cooking oil prices have shown slight declines, largely due to government interventions and improved global commodity stability. Petroleum product prices, however, remain volatile, indirectly influencing the cost of transportation and logistics for food and other consumer goods.
Such fluctuations underline the broader challenges of managing inflation in a country heavily dependent on imports for food and energy. The government’s reliance on subsidies and administrative controls can only temporarily suppress prices; long-term stability requires structural reforms and investment in domestic production capacity.
Impact on Households and Consumer Sentiment
For the average Pakistani family, the weekly inflation report reflects the everyday struggle to balance limited incomes against rising living costs. Even a modest weekly increase can have a compounding effect on monthly expenses.
Households in lower income brackets, particularly those earning below Rs30,000 per month, are disproportionately affected since food items constitute the majority of their consumption basket. The PBS data suggests that inflation for this segment is consistently higher than for upper-income groups, emphasizing growing inequality in the cost-of-living burden.
Consumer sentiment remains cautious. Many families have adjusted by reducing discretionary spending, switching to cheaper food alternatives, and buying in smaller quantities. While a drop in chicken prices brings some short-term comfort, the broader inflationary environment continues to pressure household budgets.
Government’s Response and Economic Outlook
The government and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) continue to emphasize macroeconomic stabilization efforts, including controlling the fiscal deficit and managing currency fluctuations. However, the persistence of weekly inflation highlights that short-term price stability remains elusive.
The Ministry of Finance has stated that it is monitoring essential commodity prices closely, with measures to curb profiteering and ensure supply chain transparency. Market inspections and administrative price controls are being reinforced in key urban centers.
Economists argue that while such measures may help contain temporary spikes, they do not address structural issues such as inefficient agricultural supply chains, dependence on imports, and inadequate cold storage infrastructure. Long-term stability requires comprehensive reforms aimed at boosting local production and improving market efficiency.
Furthermore, global economic conditions — including oil prices, international freight costs, and currency exchange rates — will continue to play a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s inflation trajectory.
Future Expectations
Looking ahead, analysts predict that inflation may remain moderate in the coming weeks but is unlikely to decline significantly before the end of the year. With winter setting in, demand for certain food items like eggs, milk, and vegetables is expected to rise.
The government’s challenge will be to manage these seasonal dynamics without triggering broader price instability. Monetary policy will likely remain tight, with the SBP maintaining higher interest rates to curb inflationary pressures.
Meanwhile, any further depreciation of the Pakistani rupee or increase in global oil prices could reignite inflation, offsetting the benefits of recent price reductions in certain commodities.
Conclusion
The mixed movement in food prices — with chicken becoming cheaper and eggs more expensive — highlights the fragile nature of Pakistan’s inflationary environment. The Egg 0.22% weekly rise, though seemingly small, underscores persistent challenges in balancing supply and demand across essential goods.
For consumers, these trends serve as a reminder that price stability remains uncertain and heavily dependent on both domestic and international factors. Policymakers, on the other hand, must continue addressing underlying inefficiencies that make the economy vulnerable to even minor shocks.
In the end, while the fall in chicken prices provides momentary relief to households, the overall inflationary picture remains concerning. Sustained efforts in agricultural modernization, efficient market regulation, and economic reforms will be essential to protect citizens from recurring waves of inflation and ensure a more stable cost of living in the months ahead.
