The prices of essential kitchen items, especially onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and lemon, registered substantial increase during the current week compared to last week, according to a survey carried out by Business Recorder on Saturday.
It was noted that tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and lemon were being sold at Rs 100 per kg, Rs 70 per kg, Rs 160 per kg, Rs 160 per kg and Rs 100 per kg respectively, which during last week were being sold at Rs 50 per kg, Rs 40 per kg, Rs 120 per kg, Rs 120 per kg and Rs 80 per kg, respectively.
During the week under review the price of cauliflower increased by Rs 10 per kg is available at Rs 45 per kg against Rs 35 per kg last week; potato price increased by Rs 5 per kg is being sold at Rs 45 per kg against Rs 40 per kg, cabbage price registered an increase of Rs 5 per kg is available at Rs 35 per kg against Rs 30 last week, tomatoes price witness an increase of Rs 50 per kg is available at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 50 per kg last week, onions prices witnessed an increase of Rs 30 per kg is being sold at Rs 70 per kg against last week and bakers have increased the price of medium size bread by Rs 2 and large size by Rs 4.
Traders at Rawalpindi/ Islamabad wholesale markets told Business Recorder that the recent price hike of essential kitchen items was artificial. They said that hoarders have created the price hike to fleece the masses during upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. They said that last week prices of most of the vegetables were decreased, but within two days their prices have become double. 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.
Naeem Iftikhar Cheema, District Market Committee Secretary Rawalpindi, admitted that hoarders and profiteers have hoarded onion and tomatoes, the most wanted items during Eid, to earn more profit. "They have created artificial shortage of these vegetables to loot the public," he added. He said that hoarders had stocked thousands of sacks of onion in different hidden places and stores to create shortage with the intention to earn profit at will during Eid days. "Concerned price magistrates should take immediate action," he said.
However, the prices of some of the food items registered downward trend, including sugar which decreased by Rs 2 per kg as compared to previous week. But in most parts of the twin cities it is still being sold at Rs 75-70 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 have yet not reduced gahee and cooking oil price in the market. Survey noted that vegetables and pulses prices registered mixed trend as rates of some vegetables decreased, while others increased.
Similarly prices of okra, karela, kado and other vegetables also registered an increase in their prices. A few weeks back ginger, garlic and lemon prices had come down, but this week ginger price registered an increase of Rs 40 per, garlic Rs 40 and lemon Rs 20 per kg.
Peas are being sold at Rs 80 per kg, cucumber at Rs 40 per kg, okra at Rs 80 per kg, Kareela at Rs 70 per kg and Shimla Mirch at Rs 60 per kg. However the prices of live chicken and chicken meat have registered a decrease of Rs 20 per kg and Rs 30 per kg. Last week live chicken was available at Rs 128 per kg, and chicken meat at Rs 210 per kg, which this week is being sold at Rs 110 per kg and Rs 190 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.