By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Consumers received some relief in May as prices of several key food items, particularly vegetables and poultry products, declined significantly on a month-on-month basis, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The latest PBS figures showed that tomatoes registered the sharpest monthly decline, with prices falling 38.39% compared to April 2026. Fresh vegetables also became considerably cheaper, posting a 24.69% decrease during the month. Chicken prices dropped 7.20%, followed by onions at 6.18% and eggs at 3.03%.

Other food items that recorded month-on-month declines included beans (0.94%), honey (0.85%), fish (0.60%), pulse moong (0.40%), pulse mash (0.21%), and pulse masoor (0.14%).

The decline in vegetable and poultry prices provided some relief to households facing fluctuations in food costs, although several staple and processed food items continued to register increases during the month.

Among the commodities that became more expensive in May, wheat recorded a 7.10% increase over the previous month, while wheat flour rose 7.01%. Potato prices climbed 5.39%, followed by ice cream (3.91%), milk products (3.13%), fresh milk (2.08%), dessert preparations (1.54%), meat (1.40%), beverages (1.18%), gur (1.08%), sweetmeat (1.06%), vegetable ghee (0.93%), and gram whole (0.74%).

On a year-on-year basis, the data reflected significant variations across food categories.

Among the commodities that posted annual price increases, onions registered the highest rise at 63.92%, followed by wheat at 63.44% and wheat flour at 62.70%. Tomato prices were up 31.51%, while wheat products recorded an increase of 13.99%.

Other food items that became more expensive compared to May 2025 included dessert preparations (12.22%), butter (11.71%), ice cream (10.25%), meat (10.25%), dry fruits (9.93%), milk powder (9.55%), and fresh milk (7.36%).

Despite these increases, a wide range of food commodities remained cheaper than a year earlier. Potatoes posted the largest annual decline, falling 44.33%, followed by pulse gram (18.75%), besan (15.84%), gram whole (15.83%), chicken (15.01%), eggs (14.48%), and sugar (14.03%).

Additional year-on-year declines were recorded in pulse masoor (8.21%), condiments and spices (5.13%), pulse moong (3.12%), beans (2.63%), tea (2.24%), honey (1.48%), fresh vegetables (0.79%), pulse mash (0.71%), and fresh fruits (0.40%).

The PBS data suggest that while prices of several staple commodities remained elevated, substantial declines in vegetables, poultry products, and other essential food items helped ease price pressures for consumers during May.

Credit: INP-WealthPk