ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items especially vegetables, eggs and chicken have witnessed an increase during this week compared to the preceding week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.

The survey observed a significant increase in prices of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, chicken and eggs.

Traders talking to this correspondent said that after the government decision of increasing petrol and diesel prices during the last week of June, the vegetable, chicken, fruit, detergent and local; brands of ghee/cooking oil prices are still witnessing an increasing trend.

They said the prices of essential commodities as well as other daily use items were likely to further increase as the government had decided to increase the electricity prices as well, and gas prices were also likely to go up.

They said that within past two weeks prices of various brands of hand-washing soaps were increased, and now after Rs21 per litre increase in high-speed diesel, the transportation cost has gone up, which coupled with other factors is reflecting in the increasing prices of all the daily use items, and pushing the poor into more serious problems.

Traders said during the past months, the prices of second-grade ghee/cooking oil witnessed three times increase, despite a reduction in global market, and if the government left the situation unchecked, a serious wheat flour shortage is on the cards.

They said second grade ghee-cooking oil price per carton had jumped up from Rs2,250 per carton to Rs2,350 per carton during this week.

During the week under review, chicken price jumped up from Rs7,000 to Rs7,200 per 40 kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs220 per kg against Rs210 per kg, while chicken meat price went up from Rs330 per kg to Rs350 per kg.

The survey observed a further increase in egg prices, which jumped up from Rs120 per dozen to Rs125 per dozen in wholesale market, while in retail eggs are being sold at Rs135 per dozen against Rs130 per dozen.

During the week under review, prices of most of the pulses remained stable as moong pulse is being sold at Rs290 per kg, maash is being sold at Rs250-260 per kg, best quality Lobia at Rs300 per kg, masoor at Rs160 per kg, chana at Rs135 per kg against Rs150 per kg.

No changes were witnessed in top brands of ghee/cooking oil, tea, spices, powder milk, salt, chillis, turmeric, and other items.

Sugar price during the week under review went further up from Rs3,920 per 50 kg bag to Rs3,940 per 50 kg bag, which is still being sold at Rs85 per kg, while there is a serious sugar shortage on the utility stores operated outlets.

According to outlet operators during the past three months, sugar supply arrives off and on.

They said that the top management had no clear policy; therefore, the outlets are facing serious shortage.

However, the management supplies sufficient stocks of sugar to the outlets situated in the heart of the capital and adjoining Rawalpindi to avert media attention, while in areas far from the city centres supplies are not ensured.

Wheat flour price has already reached all time high level of Rs1,050 per 20 kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs1,075 per 20 kg bag, while per kg wheat flour is available at Rs70 per kg.

Business Recorder has observed at a number of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) outlets either sugar, wheat flour, pulses, and other subsidized items are not available or are being sold at high prices.

During the week, vegetables prices witnessed further increase as best quality potatoes price jumped up from Rs320 per 5 kg to Rs350 per 5 kg, while normal is available at Rs300 per 5 kg against Rs280 per 5 kg.

In retail market, best quality potatoes are being sold at Rs80 per kg against Rs75 per kg, while normal at Rs75 per kg against Rs70 per kg, onions price went up from Rs150 per 5kg to Rs200 per 5 kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 50/55 per kg against Rs40 per kg.

Tomato price jumped up by R 230 per 5 kg from Rs230 per 5kg to Rs460 per 5 kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs100 per kg against Rs55 per kg.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020