Huge surge in prices of essential items witnessed

A huge surge in prices of essential commodities of daily use including fruits, vegetables, sugar, pulses, and rice, has been reported during the holy month of Ramazan, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.
The unchecked price of essential food items has irked the consumers. They have demanded of the authorities concerned to take prompt action against hoarders and profiteers, and to implement official price list.
Traders in the KP's provincial capital said that prices had gone up due to gap between supply and demand. They said there was no significant increase in prices in current holy month of Ramazan as compared to the last year's prices.
A one-kilogram gram flour (baisin) is available at Rs 150, while dates are being sold at Rs 250 and Rs 280 per kg. Basmati rice is being available at Rs 110 and Rs 100 per kg. Sugar price now ranges between Rs 65 per kilogram, as compared to Rs 62 per kilogram before the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan. Syrups and juices, widely used in Ramazan, are being sold at sky-high rates in retail market, according to the survey.
It was noticed that the price of big white Channa are sold at Rs 180 per kilogram, as compared to Rs 110 during last month. Dal Chana's per kg price was Rs 135 per kilogram, Dal green available at Rs 140 per kg, while Red bean is being sold at Rs 120 per kg, moong at Rs 140 per kg. Dal Mash has become further costlier with Rs 270 per kg, and white lobiya at Rs 120 per kg.
Price of cooking oil/ghee of various brands and varieties were ranged between Rs 120 to Rs 180, while ghee prices also witnessed unjustifiable increase in month of Ramazan.
The survey witnessed that five kilogram potatoes are being sold at Rs 150 due to increasing demand in the holy month. Last month the 5 kg potatoes were available below Rs 100 in wholesale market. Five kilogram onion being available at Rs 150 while ginger at Rs 200 per kilogram. With increasing demand in hot and humid weather, the price of lemon has soared to Rs 200 per kilogram.
Other veggies such as ladyfinger being sold at Rs 40 per kg, cauliflower at Rs 60 per kilogram, capsicum at Rs 80 per kilogram, calabash at Rs 40 per kg, tori at Rs 40 per kg, and cabbage at Rs 100 per kilogram.
Since the beginning of holy month of Ramazan, the price of fruit has become sky-high due to no-check by authorities concerned. Amid rising demand of fruits, a manifold increase witnessed in the prices of almost all fruits. Apple is being sold at Rs 120 to Rs 150 per kilogram, mango available at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg, melon at Rs 30 per kg, banana at Rs 100 per dozen, water melon at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per piece.
According to survey, the price of flour has also surged since the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan, as a 20-kg bag of mix flour available at Rs 720, while bag of fine atta, weighting (20-kg) being sold at Rs 780 and Rs 800 in retail.
Fresh milk is being sold at Rs 90 to Rs 100 per litre - while price of milk powder of various brands and quality had also risen in the retail market. One kilogram fresh yogurt is being sold at Rs 90 to Rs 100.