By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s Wholesale Price Index rose 1.98% in August 2026 from July 2026, while the year-on-year increase stood at 11.82%, with other transportable goods making the largest contribution to the monthly and annual movement, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

The general WPI, measured on base 2015-16, increased to 350.77 in August 2026 from 343.96 in July 2026 and 313.68 in August 2025. This represented an increase of 1.98% over the previous month and 11.82% over August 2025.

Other transportable goods posted the sharpest increase among major groups, rising 5.28% over July 2026 and 26.80% over August 2025. The group’s index climbed to 434.07 in August 2026 from 412.30 in July 2026 and 342.32 in August 2025. Its impact was 1.42 percentage points month-on-month and 6.55 percentage points year-on-year.

Food, beverages, tobacco, textiles and leather products also contributed to the upward trend. The group’s index rose to 308.04 from 304.47 in July 2026 and 284.96 in August 2025, showing a 1.17% monthly increase and an 8.10% annual rise. Its impact stood at 0.32 percentage points over July 2026 and 2.29 percentage points over August 2025.

Within this group, food products, beverages and tobacco increased 1.30% month-on-month and 10.51% year-on-year, with the index rising to 332.91 in August 2026. Textiles and apparel increased 0.93% over July 2026 and 2.16% over August 2025, while leather products remained unchanged on a monthly basis but were 19.21% higher year-on-year.

Agriculture, forestry and fishery showed a moderate monthly increase of 0.82%, with the index moving to 304.57 in August 2026 from 302.08 in July 2026. On a yearly basis, the group increased 9.49%, contributing 2.17 percentage points to the overall year-on-year WPI movement.

Ores, minerals, electricity, gas and water rose 0.31% month-on-month and 1.87% year-on-year, while metal products, machinery and equipment increased 0.12% over July 2026 and 5.16% over August 2025.

The main month-on-month increases were recorded in diesel oil at 14.08%, kerosene oil 13.27%, vegetables 13.21%, tobacco products 9.71%, other cereal flour 7.52%, wheat 7.23%, chemicals 6.49%, motor spirit 6.41%, eggs 5.93% and sugar confectionery 5.74%.

However, several commodities declined over the previous month, helping contain broader pressure. Sorghum/jowar fell 19.20%, followed by fresh fruits 5.51%, dry fruits 3.63%, poultry 3.42%, refined sugar 1.09%, millet/bajra 0.77%, dried fruits and nuts 0.70%, beverages 0.60%, auto tyres 0.56%, oil cakes 0.40%, cotton seeds 0.30%, fibre crops 0.29%, liquefied natural gas 0.22%, stimulant and spice crops 0.16%, paints and varnishes 0.08% and spices 0.04%.

On a year-on-year basis, the largest increases were seen in wheat at 92.64%, wheat flour 74.10%, kerosene oil 62.84%, footwear 51.86%, vegetables 48.84%, diesel oil 46.05%, sorghum/jowar 38.13%, furnace oil 33.33%, mobil oil 27.59%, motor spirit 27.02%, woven fabrics 25.04%, dried fruits and nuts 22.67%, maize 20.83%, raw animal materials/wool 19.36% and chemicals 18.87%.

The yearly decreases were led by edible roots/potatoes at 36.63%, followed by stimulant and spice crops 26.13%, refined sugar 19.65%, poultry 18.58%, other cereal flour 16.83%, pulses 15.47%, eggs 15.41%, millet/bajra 14.24%, dry fruits 11.31%, sugar crops 3.52%, timber 1.74%, cotton seeds 1.57% and synthetic carpets 1.44%.

Credit: INP-WealthPk