{
  "id": 7519324,
  "title": "Saudi wholesale prices rise 4.6% in August as basic chemical prices surge 51.4%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/saudi-wholesale-prices-rise-4-6-in-august-as-basic-chemical-prices",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T09:12:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Saudi Gazette",
    "slug": "saudi-gazette",
    "url": "https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664582/saudi-arabia/saudi-wholesale-prices-rise-46-in-august-as-basic-chemical-prices-surge-514"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia's wholesale prices experienced a notable surge of 4.6% on an annual basis in August 2026, primarily propelled by a significant 8.2% increase in the prices of other transportable goods and a 2.2% rise in metal products, machinery, and equipment. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), basic chemical prices witnessed an exceptionally sharp 51.4% annual increase. The price uptick in metal products, machinery, and equipment was supported by a 5.4% annual increase in basic metals and a substantial 10.5% rise in fabricated metal products. Agriculture and fishery product prices ascended by 4.8% annually, primarily fueled by a 9% surge in agricultural commodities. Conversely, ores and minerals experienced a slight decline of 1.8%, coinciding with a parallel decrease in stone and sand prices. On a month-to-month basis, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) contracted by 0.2% in August compared to July. Notably, the price of other transportable goods experienced a decline of 1% due to a 6.2% decrease in basic chemical prices and a 0.5% drop in glass and non-metallic products. Agriculture and fishery product prices saw a 1.5% month-on-month decline, driven by an 8.5% reduction in the prices of live animals and animal products. Ores and minerals declined by 2% due to an equivalent decrease in stone and sand prices. Meanwhile, the prices of metal products, machinery, and equipment rose by 0.8% monthly, driven by an 8.6% surge in the cost of fabricated metal products. Food products, beverages, tobacco, and textiles prices remained relatively stable, with a modest 0.6% increase month-on-month as prices of meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, oils, and fats rose by 2.6%, while dairy products increased by 0.3%.",
  "summary": "RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose 4.6 percent year-on-year in August 2026, mainly driven by an 8.2 percent increase in other transportable goods and a 2.2 percent rise in metal products, machinery and equipment. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), basic chemical prices recorded a particularly sharp 51.4 percent annual increase. Prices of metal…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}