Prices of essential kitchen items remain high

Prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained on high side while due to high demand/prices some of the pulses were not available even at the utility stores during the last week as compared to the preceding week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed on Saturday.
Traders at Rawalpindi/ Islamabad wholesale and retail markets revealed that prices of pulses increased while an artificial shortage of some varieties of pulses including Chana was created to earn more. However, sugar and cooking oil/ghee prices remained stable in the market.
Prices of entire range of vegetables increased last week as compared to the corresponding week. Tomato price increased by Rs 10 per kg as it is being sold at Rs 50 against Rs 40 per kg last week. Shimla mirch was available at Rs 80 against Rs 60-70 per kg, potato at Rs 30 against Rs 25 per kg, green chillies at Rs 120-130 per kg against Rs 120-125 per kg and cauliflower at Rs 40-45 against Rs 50 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week. Prices of carrot, garlic and arvi registered a nominal increase of Rs 3-5 per kg respectively.
A substantial increase was observed in the entire range of pulses as Maash was available at Rs 155 per kg last week, which currently is being sold at Rs 158 per kg, Moong is being sold at Rs 122 per kg against Rs 115 per kg last week, Masoor is being sold at Rs 127 against Rs 122 per kg, Chana is being sold at Rs 100 against Rs 85 per kg and Lobia at Rs 105 per kg against Rs 100 per kg last week. It was also noted that Chana was not easily available in markets; however traders termed it as an artificial shortage.
Similarly, increase was registered in some varieties of rice during last week. Broken rice was available at Rs 75-80 per kg in different markets. Similarly, basmati depending on quality was available at Rs 115-130 per kg with an increase of Rs 5-7 per kg during last week. A sharp increase was registered in all fruits prices. Banana was available at Rs 100-150 against Rs 80-100 per dozen depending on quality. However in some market it was available up to Rs 200 per dozen where traders claimed it came from India. It was noted that apple was available at Rs 130-190 against Rs 120-160 per kg. Orange prices increased from Rs 80-100 to Rs 100-120 per dozen. Similarly, Guava price increased from Rs 60 to Rs 60-65 per kg.