ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items especially pulses, chicken, ginger, onions, B-grade ghee/cooking oil have witnessed further hike during this week past against the preceding week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.
The survey noted all time high chicken prices, which registered an increase of Rs 1,400 per 40kg in wholesale market reaching Rs 8,200 from Rs 6,800 per 40kg.
In retail, chicken is being sold at Rs 230 per kg against Rs 195 per kg, and chicken meat at Rs 350 per kg against Rs310 per kg.
Prices of all the pulses witnessed an increase in wholesale as well as in retail market as moong price jumped from Rs 9,500 per 40kg to Rs 9,800 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 260 per kg against Rs 240 per kg, lentil mash price jumped from Rs 9,000 per 40kg to Rs 10,000 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 260 per kg against Rs 240 per kg, lentil gram price jumped from Rs 4,800 per 40kg to Rs 5,480 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 140 per kg, best quality bean lentil jumped from Rs 9,500 per 40kg to Rs 10,200 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 280 per kg against Rs 260 per kg, masoor lentil price jumped from Rs 5,000 per 40kg to Rs 5,300 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 140 per kg, and whole gram lentil price jumped up from Rs 4,400 per 40kg to Rs 5,000 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 140 per kg.
However, eggs price during the week under review witnessed a slight reduction which came down from Rs 5,100 per carton to Rs 4,700 per carton containing 12 trays, each tray with 30 eggs in the wholesale market.
In retail market, eggs are being sold Rs 170-180 per dozen against Rs 180-200 per dozen.
Sugar and wheat flour prices have witnessed no changes despite arrival of imported commodities as in wholesale sugar is available at Rs 5,250 per 50kg bag, while in retail the commodity is being sold at Rs 110 per kg.
No changes were recorded in the wheat flour price as 15kg wheat flour bag is being available at Rs 980, which in retail is being sold above Rs 1,000.
Moreover, flour millers have linked supply of government-sponsored wheat flour bag of 20kg costing Rs 860 to retailers with the purchase of 15kg bag.
Owing to the condition set by the flour millers, most of the retailers are unable to purchase government-sponsored wheat flour as a result it is not available on majority of the shops.
Best quality ghee/cooking oil prices witnessed no change as good quality ghee/cooking oil is available at Rs 260 per litre.
While B-grade ghee and cooking oil price jumped further.
Normal quality ghee/cooking oil price witnessed a jumped from Rs 2,730 per carton to Rs 2,900 per carton, while in retail it is being sold at Rs 185 per pack of 900 grams.
Rice prices are stable as best quality basmati rice is being sold at Rs 3,900 per 25kg, normal quality basmati rice at Rs 3,500 per 25kg, and prices of other rice brands are also stable on high side.
The survey observed most of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) outlets especially in rural areas of Rawalpindi/Islamabad are short of wheat flour.
Same is the situation with sugar availability on the USC outlets and the commodity is not available to the masses on subsidised rates as a result they are compelled to purchase expensive sugar from open market at Rs 115-120 per kg.
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price remained stable, which past week were increased by Rs 10 per kg, Rs 120 per domestic cylinder, and Rs 450 per commercial cylinder.
At present, domestic cylinder of 11.8kg LPG is available at Rs 1,570.
No changes were witnessed in milk prices during the week under review as packed milk prices including Nestle milk pack and Olpers are being sold at Rs 40 per 200ml pack.
Spices price is stable at Rs 75 per 25 gram pack, while red chillies powder price reduced from Rs 1,000 per kg to Rs 850 per kg, and turmeric powder price is at Rs 380 per kg.
The survey observed an increasing trend in the prices of vegetables as onion price jumped from Rs 325 per 5kg to Rs 400 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs 90 per kg against Rs 80 per kg, potato price went up from Rs 260 per 5kg to Rs 350 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs 75-80 per kg against Rs 65 per kg, spinach price went down from Rs 30 per bundle to Rs 20 per bundle, and peas price went further down from Rs 1,200 per 5kg to Rs 900 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs 200 per kg against Rs 280 per kg.
During the week, tomato prices witnessed a slight reduction from Rs 2,400 per basket of 13kg to Rs 2,000 per basket, which in retail are being sold at Rs 155-160 per kg against Rs 180-200 per kg.
The ginger prices in wholesale market went significantly up from Rs 1,800 per 5kg to Rs 2,800 per 5kg, while in retail is being sold at Rs 650 per kg against Rs 360 per kg. Garlic prices went up from Rs 800 per 5kg to Rs 850 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs 200 per kg against Rs 190 per kg.
Similarly, prices of most of the vegetables witnessed an increase during the week under review, spinach and bringal remained most inexpensive vegetables at Rs 20 and Rs 25 per kg, while fresh bean, capsicum, tomatoes, and peas remained most expensive vegetables costing Rs 170-225 per kg.
Fruit prices witnessed no significant changes during the week under review.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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