Pakistanis are seeing rise in food inflation as the prices of cooking oil and ghee have increased across the country, adding additional pressure on household budgets.
According to market sources, the price of loose cooking oil has risen to Rs510 per kilogram or more, while loose ghee has increased from Rs470 to as high as Rs500 per kilogram within a week.
Branded edible oil and ghee products have also become costlier. Products that were previously available at around Rs580 per litre are now being sold for up to Rs620 per litre in several retail markets.
Retailers say the latest price hike is due to fluctuations in global edible oil markets, rising import costs, and higher transportation expenses.
As Pakistan depends heavily on imported palm oil, domestic cooking oil and ghee prices remain vulnerable to changes in international commodity prices and freight charges, leading to frequent price adjustments in the local market.
Milk, yoghurt see rise in price in Lahore
The price of milk and yoghurt has been consecutively increasing in the capital of Punjab, Lahore.
Lahore consumers are paying more for milk and yoghurt as the district administration struggles to enforce official prices in the open market.
Milk is officially priced at Rs170 per litre, but retailers in several parts of the city are reportedly selling it for as much as Rs240 per litre. This means consumers are paying up to Rs70 more per litre than the notified rate.
Yoghurt is also being sold at prices of up to Rs250 per kilogram, according to consumers.
The higher prices have prompted anger among residents, who have called on the Lahore district administration to take action against sellers charging above the official rates.
Citizens have also urged authorities to conduct regular market inspections and ensure that retailers comply with the notified prices of essential dairy products.
Read more: Pakistan’s inflation picks up in July as food prices climb despite fuel relief
