How commodity and service prices fared in August

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The average prices of 117 of 169 commodities and services across 10 categories in Saudi Arabia increased year-on-year (YoY) in August 2026, according to data issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

Meanwhile, prices of 46 other goods and services declined, while the prices of five others remained unchanged.

Among 100 items under the food and beverages category, Indian pomegranates recorded the highest price increase last month, rising 25.1% YoY, followed by local carrots (+24.67%).

Meanwhile, Al Osra fine sugar topped the list of commodities that recorded the largest price declines during the same period, with its average price falling by 6.56%, followed by arugula, which declined by 4.72%.

Among 38 items under the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category, prices showed a mixed trend in August, with 29 items rising and 9 items declining YoY.

Most items under pets, related products and other cultural services recorded higher prices in August, with four items rising and one declining compared to the same period a year earlier.

Clothing and footwear prices also showed a mixed performance, with four items rising, five declining and one remaining unchanged YoY.

The personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services category recorded mixed performance last month, with two items rising and one falling.

Furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance fell sharply, with three of four items recording lower prices in August.

Healthcare costs mostly increased last month, with two out of three tracked services posting higher prices, and one service recording lower prices YoY.

Meanwhile, transport services recorded mixed movements, with one service seeing a price increase, while the other declined in August.

Restaurants and accommodation services showed mixed performance, with one service rising and two declining YoY.

Tobacco prices edged lower, with Marlboro cigarette prices declining in August, compared to the same period a year earlier.