The prices of essential kitchen items showed mixed trend during the current week compared to last week, according to a survey carried out by Business Recorder on Saturday. Traders in Rawalpindi and Islamabad wholesale and retail markets said that despite decrease in some food items prices, including sugar, cooking oil and ghee, the retailers are reluctant to pass on the relief to the consumers.
However, prices of vegetables and fruits registered mixed trend in the week under review as compared to the previous week. The prices of some food items registered downward trend, including sugar which decreased by Rs 2 per kg as compared to previous week. However, it is still being sold at Rs 70 per kg against the original price of Rs 68 in the retail market.
Palm oil prices registered a significant decline in the international market. However, the cooking oil/ghee producers are reluctant to pass on the relief to the consumers despite reduction in price by Rs 2-3 per kg. But some producers including Sufi, Mezan and Kashmir have reduced ghee prices by Rs 2-3 per kg.
The survey noted that vegetables and pulses prices registered mixed trend as rates of some vegetables decreased, while others increased. Tomatoes and onions were available at Rs 80 and Rs 50 per kg against Rs 70-75 and Rs 45 last week. Price of green chillies increased by Rs 15 per kg to Rs 120 per kg against Rs 100-105 per kg last week; cauliflower is being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 45 per kg last week.
Okra is being sold at Rs 75 to 80 against Rs 70 per kg last week. Potato price decreased by Rs 5 per kg and is being sold at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 45 per kg; cabbage price registered a decrease of Rs 3-5 per kg and is available at Rs 33-35 per kg against Rs 38 last week. Similarly prices of okra, karela and kado registered increase of Rs 5 per kg each.
Chicken meat was available at Rs 135 per kg last week but is now at Rs 140 per kg, while live chicken price increased by Rs 10 per kg from Rs 140 per kg last week to Rs 150 per kg. Prices of dal mash, red beans and dal channa remained unchanged. However, prices of some varieties of rice registered increase including basmati by Rs 3-5 per kg.
Survey further noted that prices of most of the fruits remained on the high side without significant change during the week under review as compared to the previous week. Apples were available at Rs 150-140 and 130 per kg depending on quality similar to last week price. However banana was available at Rs 50 per dozen against Rs 60 per dozen and grapes at Rs 240 against Rs 220 per kg during the week under review as compared to the previous week.
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