The prices of essential commodities recorded another hike as the weekly Sensitive Price Index (SPI) increased by 0.69% on a week-on-week basis during the week ended on August 10. On a yearly basis, the SPI has increased by 30.82% during the week.

Among the essential commodities, the prices of food items significantly increased where chillies powder showed a hike of 3.72%, powdered milk surged by 3.65%, pulse mash increased by 3.13% and garlic recorded an increase of 2.39%, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Additionally, the price of sugar recorded an increase of 2.30%, chicken 2.27%, salt 1.84% and eggs prices were up by 1.74% during the week under review.

Powdered milk increased by Rs28 to reach Rs808 per 390 grammes, sugar increased by Rs3 to hit Rs148 and almost all pulses were up by Rs15 per kilogramme during the week under review.

Read: [Inflation in Pakistan hits 14-year-high](https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30291066/inflation-in-pakistan-hits-14-year-high)

On the other hand, the price of vegetable ghee per kilogramme declined by 1.59%, liquefied petroleum gas was down by 0.79%, cooking oil 0.78% and mustard oil decreased by 0.48%.

Meanwhile, the Utility Stores Corporation also hiked the prices of food items after the government slashed the subsidies on these essential commodities as the outgoing government announced targeted subsidies to the consumers.

The utility stores have hiked the prices of pulses by Rs20 per kilogramme while basmati rice has also been increased by Rs10 per kilogramme.