The prices of most of essential kitchen items remained on the high side without significant changes during the week past as compared to the preceding week, according to a survey by Business Recorder on Saturday.
Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Islamabad/ Rawalpindi attributed the rapid increase in prices to seasonal effects, short supply and high demand. They said that due to cold weather, a significant decline is normally witnessed in vegetables and fruits supply which directly affects price.
It was noted that prices of some essential items increased significantly, whereas others registered nominal decline. Prices of vegetables and fruits registered mixed trend. There was significant decline in sugar and gur prices. Sugar was being sold at Rs 52 per kg against Rs 65 only two weeks ago; However, bakers and sweet merchants did not pass on the benefit of reduced sugar prices to consumers. Instead of decrease in prices all sort of sweets and bakery products witnessed substantial increase during last few days.
Similarly, despite substantial decrease in international palm oil prices, the manufacturers of ghee/cooking oil were reluctant to pass on the benefit to the end consumers. Imran, a wholesaler, said that the producers of ghee/cocking oil had increased the prices of different brands including Dalda, Sufi, Kisan and Mizan by Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg on the plea that palm oil prices has increased in the international market. All these brands are still available at Rs 195 per kg, despite a significant decline in palm oil prices.
On the other hand, egg prices have risen due to increase in demand. At present a dozen eggs are available at Rs 120 against last week's Rs 110, registering an increase of Rs 10 per dozen. According to shopkeepers, eggs prices touched all time high during this week past.
In wholesale market tomatoes are being sold at Rs 260 per 5kg (Rs 52-55 per kg), which in the retail markets are being sold at Rs 75-82 per kg. Wholesalers attribute increase in tomato prices to seasonal effect, claiming decline in supply. Onions are being sold at Rs 55-60 per kg against last week price of Rs 50-55 per kg, ginger at Rs 190 per kg against Rs 180 per kg last week and garlic at Rs 225 per kg against Rs 115 last week. At present green chillies are being sold at Rs 130 per kg against Rs 115-120 per kg last week and cauliflower at Rs 52-55 per kg against Rs 50.
Prices of all varieties of rice remained stable. Broken rice was available at Rs 60-70 per kg in different markets. Basmati, depending on quality, was available at Rs 100-120 per kg without any change in prices during the week under review as compared to the last week.
Potato was available at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 45 last week while arvi was available at Rs 50 against Rs 48 last week. However, prices of most of the pulses remained unchanged during the week past as compared to the preceding week.
No significant change was witnessed in fruit prices which remained on the high side during the week past as compared to last week. Banana prices increased from Rs 60 per dozen to Rs 70-80 depending on quality. Guava price remained unchanged and was being sold at Rs 50 per kg. Apple was available at Rs 120 to 150 per kg depending on quality against Rs 120 to 140 per kg last week. Oranges were available at Rs 90-110 per dozen against Rs 100-120 last week.