Overview
- PBS reported the Sensitive Price Indicator at 334.35 points for the week ended January 8, up from 333.96, with a 0.12% weekly rise and a 3.20% year-on-year increase.
- Prices for 21 of 51 tracked essentials increased, eight declined and 22 were unchanged across 50 markets in 17 cities.
- Weekly gains were led by wheat flour (+5.07%), chicken (+2.86%) and garlic (+2.44%), with LPG up 0.88% and smaller rises in items such as chili powder and prepared tea.
- Perishable declines provided limited relief, including potatoes (−3.73%), onions (−2.20%), eggs (−1.44%) and tomatoes (−0.05%).
- Lower- and middle-income groups recorded marginally higher readings, with Quintile 2 at 0.13% week-on-week and 3.65% year-on-year compared with 0.11% and 2.58% for the highest-income group.