Record cut in chicken prices: mixed trend witnessed in food items'' prices

With exceptional decrease in chicken prices, a mixed trend was witnessed in the prices of perishable and non-perishable food items last week, as compared to the preceding week, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.
Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Rawalpindi and Islamabad said that record decrease had been noted in chicken prices, as it was being sold at Rs 118-120 per kg against Rs 140 per kg during the past week, registering a decrease of Rs 20-22 per kg.
They maintained that change in weather and increase in productions of poultry positively contributed in that regard. However, eggs'' price increased last week, as compared to the preceding week as they were being sold at Rs 88 per dozen against Rs 85 per dozen week past price, they further maintained.
The survey noted a mixed trend in the prices of perishable food items like vegetables, as some reflected slight increase while others remain stable last week as compared to the preceding week. Onions were being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 40 per kg last week, registering an increase of Rs 10 per kg, tomatoes were available at Rs 65 per kg, cucumber Rs 50 per kg, cabbage Rs 35 per kg, potatoes Rs 30-35 per kg, carrot was available at Rs 30 per kg and radish was being sold at Rs 30 per kg last week, as compared to the preceding week.
Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in fruit prices with the exception of slight increase in banana price last week as compared to the preceding week, as it was available at Rs 95-110 per dozen against Rs 90-100 per dozen week past price. However, apple was being sold at Rs 110-130 per kg, Kinnow Rs 70-120 per dozen, fruiter Rs 70-80 per dozen and Shikary Malta was being sold at Rs 120-150 per dozen.
The survey noted that meat prices remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week. Mutton was available at Rs 560 per kg and beef at Rs 360 per kg. Prices of cooking oil, pulses, rice and wheat flour remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week, as a tin of cooking oil (2.5 litres) was available at Rs 535, vegetable ghee (2.5 kg) at Rs 505, but vegetable ghee (loose) was available at Rs 160 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week. Sugar was being sold at Rs 56 per kg, a 20 kg wheat flour bag was available at Rs 670-700 and fresh milk was being sold at Rs 65-70 per litre last week against prices of preceding week. Masoor washed was available at Rs 110, Moong washed at Rs 120-127 per kg, mash washed at Rs 150-153 per kg. However, basmati rice broken was being sold at Rs 80-85 per kg colonel rice was available at Rs 140 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week.