Prices of food items increase substantially

Prices of essential food items both perishable and non-perishable increased substantially during the last week due to supply disruptions, inundation of fields and hoarding by stockists, a survey by Business Recorder revealed. According to the price of essential commodities including basin, sugar, oil, ghee, tomato, dry milk and fresh milk, chicken meat, pulses, vegetables and fruits showed an upward trend during last week.
With the fast approaching month of Ramazan, there are apprehensions that in the next few days rates may surge further in the retail and wholesale markets of the city, creating an acute artificial scarcity, market sources revealed.
Currently basin is available at Rs 72 per kg, against the previous rate of Rs 60 per kg. At majority of the retail outlets of the city sugar was available at Rs 74 per kg, which is higher compared to its previous rate of Rs 68 per kg. Price of ghee and cooking oil continued to rise and registered an increase of Rs 20 per kg. Similarly oil price also witnessed an increase of Rs 25 per litre.
Retailers revealed that there is a severe shortage of dry and fresh milk in the market due to heavy rains and floods. Price of white peas (sufaid channa) also surged during the last week as its demand peaks during the month of Ramazan. It is available at Rs 80 per kg against last week's rate of Rs 55, indicating sharp increase. Retail price of Daal Masur surged to Rs 105 to Rs 107 per kg compared to the previous price of Rs 98 per kg; and price of Daal Channa increased from Rs 65 per kg to Rs 68 per kg.
Chicken meat is currently available at Rs 160 per kg, as opposed to last week's price of Rs 140 per kg. Retail price of tomato surged sharply and was available at Rs 90 per kg, which is far higher, compared to the previous week's price of Rs 60 per kg.
Price of onions registered an increase of Rs 10 per kg and were sold at Rs 40 per kg in contrast to last week's price of Rs 30 per kg. Similarly price of potato registered an increase of Rs 12 per kg and reached Rs 40 per kg in contrast to last week's total of Rs 28 per kg. Retail price of garlic witnessed an increase of Rs 20 per kg during last one week and is currently available at Rs 150 to Rs 160 per kg. Price of all fruits continued to be on the rise. Banana is available at Rs 70 to Rs 80 per dozen as against its old rate of Rs 60 per dozen. Price of Mangoes have gone up from Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg.