Prices of most of the essential kitchen items registered considerable increase during the current week as compared to previous week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder showed. Traders at Rawalpindi/Islamabad wholesale and retail markets said that prices of most of the essential kitchen items including eggs, tomatoes, fresh chillies, cooking-oil/ghee, onion, spices, while the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was raised by the suppliers by Rs 18 per kg.
Traders said that recent increase in the prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) by Rs. 8 per kg would further worsen the situation as prices of kitchen items would go up due to increase in transportation cost. They said that as Ramazan was coming closer, the suppliers of cooking oil/ghee are regularly increasing the prices. The average quality ghee and cooking oil like Fauji and Shan brands have increased by Rs 10 to 15 per kg and are available at Rs 170 per kg against the previous week's Rs 150 to Rs 155. The suppliers are all set to take cooking oil/ghee prices to Rs 200 per kg within the next few weeks, they added.
Similarly, the prices of eggs, chicken, pulses, baisan, and grams witnessed an upward trend during the last week in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Rice prices also increased, as different varieties of the commodity like Irri, Basmati and Broken Basmati were available at Rs 60 per kg, Rs 110 per kg and Rs 75 per kg against their previous week prices of Rs 55 per kg, Rs 90 per kg and Rs 65 per kg respectively, the survey analysed. The price of chicken increased from Rs 155 to Rs 170 per kg.
The prices of pulses registered a significant increase ranging between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg. Dal masoor price increased from Rs 80 to Rs 85 per kg, black masoor was available at Rs 72 against its previous week price of Rs 68 per kg. Lobia was available at Rs 65 against Rs 60 in the previous week, and dal channa prices were increased from Rs 65 to Rs 68 per kg. Price of red chillies increased from Rs 260 to Rs 265, mash pulse washed from Rs 158 per kg to Rs 163 per kg, and garlic price increased from Rs 200 per kg to Rs 210 per kg.
A visit to the Islamabad fruit and vegetable market showed that the prices of fruits also witnessed upward trend in the last week. Apples were available at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg depending on the quality of the fruit against its previous week's price of Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg. Banana was sold at Rs 80 against Rs 60 in the previous week. Mango prices registered an increase by Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg as it was available at Rs 90 to Rs 100 against Rs 80 in the last week.
Similarly, prices of vegetables also witnessed a drastic increase. Okra was available at Rs 40 against Rs 35, potato at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 25 onion at Rs 40 against Rs 30 per kg depending on quality, branjal at Rs 60, tomato at Rs 45 against Rs 40 and carrot was available at Rs 35 against Rs 30 in the past week.
The severe shortage of power and gas is playing havoc with the industrial sector, as they are unable to even utilise 50 percent of their production capacity. Productivity has also declined with the decline in power supply, which ultimately reduced the profitability" said Ali, a trader, adding that increase in prices was inevitable.
Dealers linked the red meat price hike to surging export of meat and live animals as well as smuggling. In July-May 2010-11 meat exports had risen to $138 million (47,264 tons) as compared to $89 million (32,298 tons) in the same period of last fiscal year. People from all walks of life expressed serious concerns over the price hike of the kitchen commodities.
They said that hoarding by some traders is the main reason behind the recent price hike, while the government has failed in controlling this illegal activity. Citizens criticised the government that it not only failed in providing relief to the poor masses, but was also unable to check the price hike. They said that the government has given free hand to the profiteers.
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