Prices of most of the essential kitchen items including ghee, cocking oil, chicken and some vegetables witnessed increase in the past week as compared to the preceding week, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Rawalpindi/Islamabad said that manufactures have increased ghee and cooking oil prices on plea of increase in palm oil in international market.
They were of the view that as Ramazan is fast approaching so prices of ghee and cooking oil will further go up. Despite the announcement of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to cut Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg, however the LPG companies and distribution companies refused to implement the Authority orders.
During the survey, it was observed that price lists were not available with the wholesalers as well as with the retailers. However, they themselves claimed that there is no check and balance from the administration and they damn care about price list.
Wholesalers and retailers said that manufacturers have increased ghee and cocking oil prices by Rs 5 per kg and liter on different brands on the plea that palm oil prices increased in international market. A substantial increase of Rs 20 per kg was registered in chicken prices, as it was available at Rs 185 per kg against its previous price of Rs 165 per kg in the last week owing to high demand and low supply.
Survey also observed an increasing trend in some vegetables prices and according to the traders it will further go up as Ramazan is fast approaching. Onion prices increased from Rs 25 per kg to Rs 27 per kg, potato price increased from Rs 25 per kg to Rs 26, tomato prices increased from Rs 20 per kg to Rs 22, cucumber price increased, as it was available at Rs 32 per kg against Rs 30 per kg last week, Shimla Mirch was available at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 80 per kg and carrot was available at Rs 42 per kg against Rs 40 per kg last week. Karela was available at Rs 40, ladyfinger at Rs 40 per kg and Arvi at Rs 50 per kg without significant changes in their prices.
No change was observed in flour, sugar, rice and pulses prices. Rice prices remained unchanged during the last week as broken rice was available at Rs 75 per kg, basmati depending on quality was available at Rs 100-120 per kg, while super carnel was available at Rs 125 per kg.
Fruit prices showed mixed trend as some prices decline, while other increased in the last week. Mango was available at Rs 50-70 per kg against Rs 60-80 per kg; melon was available at Rs 20-25 per kg against 15-20 per kg and water million at Rs 15-20 per kg without a significant change during the last week as compared to the preceding week. Peach was available at Rs 60-100 per kg depending on quality and plum was available at Rs 60 to Rs 100 per kg without a significant change.