The prices of most of the essential kitchen items including sugar, ghee/ cooking oil, poultry products, milk, pulses and fuels witnessed substantial increase last month, as compared to the preceding month, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.
Traders in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/ Islamabad attributed the current price hike to increase in petroleum products prices and strike by Pakistan Vanaspati Ghee Manufacturers Association (PVGMA); however consumers termed it artificial shortage and increase. They further said that a slight decline was observed in vegetables and egg prices due to good supply.
Survey noted that retailers have increased the prices of ghee and cooking oil by Rs 10-15 per kg last month, taking a full advantage of the PVGMA strike protesting since February 18 following the burning of four of National Logistic Cell (NLC) tankers, carrying consignments of edible oil from Port Qasim.
Similarly, open milk prices increased from Rs 70 to Rs 80 per liter last month, while sugar prices registered an increase of Rs 5 per kg and now being sold at Rs 53 per kg as compared to the preceding month. The highest increase was observed in the poultry products prices, as chicken live is being sold at Rs 180 per kg and chicken meat at Rs 170 per kg against Rs 150 and Rs 135 per kg respectively during preceding month.
Survey further noted that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices registered a substantial increase of Rs 20 per kg during last month, which adversely affected the firewood prices, which also increased by Rs 15-20 per mound. Pulses price also registered increase last month, as Dal Channa was available at Rs 78 per kg, Masoor at Rs 128 per kg, Maash at Rs 150-170 per kg and Dal Moong at Rs 152 per kg against Rs 75,125 and 150 per kg respectively during the preceding month.
Vegetables prices registered a slight decline in the last month as compared to the preceding month. Tomato price declined by Rs 20 per kg as it was sold at Rs 50 against Rs 70 per kg preceding month. Potato prices declined from Rs 25 per kg to Rs 20 per kg. Capsicum (Shimla Mirch) is being sold at Rs 80 per kg without any change, however, green chillies are being sold at Rs 130 per kg against Rs 120 per kg, while cauliflower was available at Rs 40-45 per kg against Rs 55 per kg during preceding month.
However, increase was registered in some varieties of rice last month, as compared to the preceding month. Broken rice was available at Rs 60-75 in different markets. Similarly, basmati depending on quality was available at Rs 100-120 per kg with an increase of Rs 5 per kg during the month under review.
During the survey, no significant change was observed in the fruit prices, which remained on the high side during the month under review as compared to the preceding month. Banana was being sold at Rs 70-80 depending on quality. Guava price remained unchanged and was being sold at Rs 50-55 per kg. Apple was available at Rs 120 to 150 per kg depending on quality, while orange was available at Rs 80-120 in different markets.