Fruit prices soar 30 percent

The prices of fruits have increased by 30 percent in the wholesale market ahead of Ramazan due to constant decline in supply. The prices of vegetables have also gone up by Rs 5 per kg in the city's wholesale markets for minting money from crises-hit masses during Ramazan, a brief visit to the Fruit and Vegetable Market on Sunday revealed.
The prices of mangoes jumped from Rs 100/kg to Rs 150/kg, which were Rs 50 per kg last month in the retail market. The prices of banana soared from Rs 24 per dozen to Rs 35 per dozen; grapes from Rs 80/kg to Rs 120/kg; peach from Rs 70 per kg to Rs 100; and the prices of watermelon increased from Rs 50 per piece to Rs 80 per piece.
The brokers in the wholesale market said that the prices of melon would reach Rs 70/kg in first 10 days of the holy month due to gap in supply, and would reduce gradually till restoration of supply. The prices of other fruit items including apples, apricot and guava have also increased by 30 percent in the wholesale and retail markets.
The prices of vegetables have increased by five percent in the retail market. The price of onion increased from Rs 15/kg to Rs 20/kg, potato from Rs 12/kg to Rs 17/kg and the prices of tomato jumped from Rs 20/kg to Rs 25/kg. The prices of onion, potato and tomato would be increased by Rs 2/kg before Ramazan, a broker said.
The prices of other green vegetables including cauliflower, bell pepper, bottle gourd, broccoli, cabbage, green chilli, eggplant, garlic and ginger have also increased by Rs 5 per kg ahead of the holy month, a broker said, adding that the prices had increased due to gap between supply and demand of the city.
An official of market committee said that field officers of City District Government Karachi (CDGK) visit the wholesale market after completion of auction due to which they fail to evolve correct price list. "The prices of fruits and vegetables remain high till existence of commission system in the market," he added.
He demanded of the government to transfer rights of fixing fruits and vegetables prices from CDGK to Market Committee to maintain prices of daily use items in the city.