Prices of essential kitchen items witness substantial increase

The prices of most of the essential kitchen items witnessed a substantial increase last week as compared to the preceding week, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/ Islamabad told this scribe that prices of some vegetables, fruits, chicken, wheat flour and yogurt increased in the week under review as compared to the preceding week.
They said that despite substantial decline in petroleum products prices last week, transporters did not decrease the fairs accordingly, which might have helped in bringing down the prices of kitchen items. They attributed the current increase in prices to prolonged load shedding, which not only resulted in declining production, but most of the time led to traders protest and negatively affected business activities. On the basis of unscheduled load shedding, manufacturers increased prices, which the wholesalers and retailers ultimately passed on to the poor consumers.
Survey noted a sharp increase in chicken price as it rose to Rs 160 per kilogram during the week under review against its previous price of Rs 150 per kilogram. Similarly, price of wheat flour increased from Rs 640 to Rs 680 per 20 kg. Nestle yogurt price increased from Rs 70 to Rs 75 per 250ml pack. No change was observed in rice, ghee/cocking oil, sugar, pulses, open and packed milk prices last week as compared to the preceding week.
Vegetables prices also witnessed a slight increase last week as compared to the preceding week. Tomato prices increased from Rs 15 per kg to Rs 20 per kg, potato prices increased from Rs 20 to Rs 22 per kg, onion prices increased from Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kg, cucumber price also increased, as it was available at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 20 per kg last week. Carrot was available at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 30 per kg last week. Karela was available at Rs 40 against Rs 50 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 40 per kg, Shimla Mirch at Rs 80 per kg and Arvi at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 70 per kg.
Fruit prices showed mixed trend as some prices of some fruits declined, while other increased last week. Mango was available at Rs 60-80 per kg against Rs 50-60 per kg; melon was available at Rs 25-30 per kg against Rs 20-25 per kg and water melon at Rs 15-20 per kg without a significant change last week as compared to the preceding week.
Plum was available at Rs 80 to Rs 120 per kg against previous price of Rs 120-150 per kg. Apple prices remained un-change during last week. Dark red and golden apple was available at Rs 170 to Rs 220 per kg depending on quality. However banana prices registered decline. Indian banana was available at Rs 170 to Rs 180 against Rs 180-200 per dozen. Pakistani banana was available at Rs 80 to Rs 100 per dozen without any significant change last week as compared to the preceding week.