'Essential commodities' prices register manifold increase'

A survey conducted by the Business Recorder here on Wednesday revealed that prices of sugar, pulses, cooking oil, chicken, red chilly, eggs, vegetables, onion, garlic and other kitchen items have increased manifold within the last two weeks.
Despite the fact that fresh pulses have arrived in the market yet the wholesalers and retailers have increased prices from Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg during the last two weeks. Price of moong pulse has jumped from Rs 60 to Rs 84 per kg, price of maash pulse increased from Rs 125 to Rs 135 per kg, price of channa pulse increased from Rs 48 to Rs 54 per kg and price of white pulse increased from Rs 60 to Rs 84 per kg in the local market. Dealers in the local market were of the view that due to fog and dry weather the production of pulses and, therefore, their price has been affected.
Survey further revealed that price of sugar has gone up from Rs 68 to Rs 72 per kg witnessing an increase of Rs 4 per kg. Similarly the price of rice also witnessed an increase of Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg. The price of red chilly has gone up from Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg, registering an increase of Rs 50 per kg. The prices of vegetables and fruits have registered an increase of 5 to 10 percent as compared to last week, claimed traders in the local market.
The price of bananas has gone up from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per dozen registering an increase of Rs 10 per dozen. Per dozen bananas were selling at Rs 50 in local market a few days ago but now are available at Rs 72. Similarly, the price of onions witnessed an increase of Rs 5 per kg - up from Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg. Price of potatoes registered an increase of Rs 8 per kg - from Rs 25 to Rs 33.
Market sources add that due to unprecedented dry spell farm production has been negatively affected and as a result the price of fruits and vegetables continues to inch upward. Traders at the wholesale fruits and vegetable market maintain that short supply of fruits and vegetables, due to lack of rains, is continuing.
Traders noted that soaring prices of essentials do not show any tendency to decline in the near future. "If the government was monitoring the prices of essential commodities, especially those that are being manipulated by cartels and smugglers, there would have been the possibility of checking price rise. But, as of now we don't see any indication of prices going down," said a leading trader of Melody market.