Prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained on high side during last week as compared to the preceding week, following substantial increase in petroleum products prices, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday. Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad attributed the increase to unprecedented hike in petroleum products, electricity and gas prices.
Increase in transport fares also added to increase in kitchen items prices. They further opined that the ever increasing inflation has squeezed the purchasing power of the people and substantial decline in customers has been observed in markets during last few weeks.
It was noted that ghee/cooking oil prices increased by Rs 5 per kg/litre last week and it touched Rs 200 per kg/litre. While the prices of per 5 kg ghee or cooking oil tin increased from Rs 975 to Rs 1,000. Traders are further expecting a sharp increase in ghee/cooking oil prices in the upcoming weeks. Basin price increased from Rs 80 to Rs 120 per kg during last few weeks. Entire range of rice varieties registered increase during the week as broken rice was available at Rs 75 per kg against Rs 70 in different markets.
Similarly, super karnal basmati price registered an increase of Rs 2 to Rs 5 per kg and was available up to Rs 125 per kg. In some places, an increase of Rs 1 was witnessed in nan and roti after increase in flour prices. Nido milk and yoghurt each registered an increase of Rs 5. Prices of entire range of pulses remained on high side during the last week as Mash was available at Rs 160 per kg, Moong at Rs 120 per kg, Masoor at Rs 125 per kg, Channa at Rs 100 and Lobia at Rs 100 per kg. Sugar prices remained un-changed during the week under review as compared to the preceding week.
Prices of most of the vegetables remained on high side and no significant change was observed. Tomato was available at Rs 60 per kg, Shimla mirch at Rs 80 per kg, potato at Rs 30 per kg, arvi at Rs 50, green chillies at Rs 120-130 per kg and cauliflower at Rs 40-45 per kg during the week under review. The entire range of fruits registered increase last week as compared to the preceding week. Guava price increased from Rs 70 to Rs 100, which is recorded highest during the current season. Orange was available at Rs 120 per dozen, banana at Rs 100 to Rs 180; apple was available at Rs 150-200, strawberry at Rs 250 per kg while melon at Rs 300 per 5 kg.