Onions have become the latest essential kitchen staple to exceed Rs 200 per kilogram in Pakistan. This exacerbates the cost-of-living crisis for households already struggling with record inflation. The price surge follows similar spikes in the costs of sugar and tomatoes. Consequently, basic cooking items are becoming increasingly unaffordable.
Reports confirm that the retail price of onions has breached the Rs 200 per kg mark in Karachi. Similar trends are observed in Lahore, Peshawar, and Multan. This relentless rise in food prices is pushing vital ingredients beyond the financial reach of average families.
The current surge in onion prices continues a troubling pattern of inflation in essential commodities. Just months ago, sugar prices crossed the Rs 200 per kg threshold. This was followed by an unprecedented spike in tomato prices. Prices skyrocketed from approximately Rs 50 to over Rs 500 per kilogram in some markets.
Read: Tomato Prices Hit Rs500/kg in Pakistan as Inflation Rise
The government’s price control mechanisms appear to be faltering in the face of these sustained increases. Official data shows that weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), rose by 0.56% for the week ending October 2, 2025.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the SPI reached 332.17 points, marking a 4.07% increase compared to the same period last year. The index tracks 51 essential items across 17 urban centres. It had the most significant impact on the lowest-income groups.
For households earning up to Rs 17,732 monthly, inflation rose by 0.82%. The current price of tomatoes in Islamabad has reached Rs 380 per kilogram. Similar high rates are reported in Rawalpindi (Rs 360), Faisalabad (Rs 350), and Lahore (Rs 340).
