The price of onions has skyrockets past Rs. 200 per kilogram across Pakistan, deepening the burden on already struggling households. Following the surge in sugar and tomato prices, onions have become the latest essential to see an unprecedented rise, reflecting the country’s worsening inflation crisis.
Consumers in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Multan, are reporting onion prices breaching Rs. 200 per kg. This sharp increase has added pressure to family budgets, as basic cooking items continue to become unaffordable.
Only a few months ago, sugar prices skyrockets beyond Rs. 200 per kilogram, removing sweetness from daily life for many. Soon after, tomato prices skyrockets from Rs. 50 to over Rs. 500 per kilogram, leaving consumers dismayed. Now, onions have joined the list of essentials slipping out of reach.
In Islamabad, tomatoes are selling at Rs. 380 per kilogram, while in Rawalpindi they cost Rs. 360. The price remains high in other cities as well — Rs. 350 in Faisalabad, Rs. 340 in Lahore, and Rs. 320 in both Gujranwala and Sialkot.
According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), weekly inflation — measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) — increased by 0.56% during the week ending October 2, 2025. The SPI rose to 332.17 points from 330.32 a week earlier, marking a 4.07% year-on-year increase.
The rising costs have affected all income groups, with the lowest-income households facing the steepest impact. For those earning up to Rs. 17,732 per month, inflation jumped by 0.82%, highlighting the growing cost-of-living crisis.
Economists warn that if the trend continues, more essential items could see their prices skyrockets, putting further pressure on Pakistan’s already fragile economy and struggling consumers.
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