Increase in prices of kitchen items observed in December: Business Recorder survey

Prices of most of the essential kitchen items increased last week, according to a survey carried out by Business Recorder. In the wholesale market the prices of Dal Mong, Dal Mash, Masoor, tea, eggs, sugar, and soft drinks have increased from 10 percent to 69 percent.
Dal Moong and sugar were selling in the open market at Rs 55 and Rs 56 respectively just a few days back, but from the last two days prices of both items have surged to Rs 80 and Rs 64 respectively. Waseem Raja, a shopkeeper in Marir Hassan area of Rawalpindi, while talking to this scribe said that within the last few days prices of different essential household items have witnessed an exceptional hike.
He said that a few days back he was selling Dal Moong at Rs 55, but from the last three days in wholesale market its per 50 kg bag price increased from Rs 2,750 to Rs 3,850 and therefore he was now selling it Rs 80, which shows a 67 percent increase. Asif Khan a shopkeeper in Faizabad area disclosed that Ghee/cooking oil manufacturers have informed him that within the next few days they will increase the price of the commodity by Rs 4 to Rs 5.
Asif revealed that Pepsi Cola increased its earlier price of Rs 60 per one and half litre bottle to Rs 65. He said that on Saturday, he had bought 50 kg sugar bag at Rs 2,600 but on Monday the same bag was selling at Rs 3,100 in the wholesale market, adding that within just two days the price of per 50 kg sugar bag increased by Rs 500.
Wholesale traders are stating different reasons for the recent price hike, some have linked it with the recent increase in the price of petroleum products and some are saying that the government is busy protecting the hoarders/looters. The Sensitive Price Index (SPI), released on 17 December by Federal Bureau of Statistics showed 12.01 per cent price hike during the week ending December 17 over the corresponding period of last year ending December 18.
"The government remains silent at the blatant profiteering tactics employed by hoarders", Irshad Malik, a resident of G-6 opined. Talking to Business Recorder Muhammad Rizwan, an employee of a private organisation said it was impossible to maintain a family of six persons in his pity income of Rs 8,000 per month. He said that he expected the government to bring down prices of at least food items, but the skyrocketing prices of daily use commodities has shattered his hopes.
Shopkeepers have increased the price of most vegetables by 15 to 25 per cent. Potatoes, which a couple of days back were available at Rs 20 per kilogram, are now being sold at Rs 30 per kilogram. The price of tomatoes has gone up and has reached Rs 30 per kilogram against its previous price of Rs 25 per kilogram.
Onions are being sold at Rs 25 per kilogram against Rs 20 per kilogram. Ginger is now being sold at Rs 80 per kilogram against Rs 60 per kilogram. Phool gobi' (cauliflower) is being sold at Rs 30 per kilogram, which was previously being sold at Rs 24 per kilogram.
Giving the reasons for increasing prices, Mian Mohammad Basharat, a wholesale dealer at Islamabad vegetable and fruit market said. "We cannot sell vegetables and fruit at the old prices. We bring most vegetables and fruit from other cities. We pay heavy transportation charges." Milkmen have also increased the price of milk in the twin cities. They are now charging Rs 40-55 for one litre of milk. A few days back, milk was sold at Rs 35-45 per litre.