ISLAMABAD: Sugar wholesales price has jumped to Rs4,650 per 50kg bag, an increase of Rs100 per 50kg bag within a week, and Rs850 per 50kg bag since Prime Minister Imran Khan constituted a commission on June 7, 2020 to check the reasons behind increase in sugar prices.

Traders told Business Recorder here on Saturday that on June 7, 2020, Prime Minister Imran Khan approved action and ordered authorities to register cases against the people involved in increasing sugar prices from August 2018-2020, but the day PM ordered an inquiry the commodity was available Rs3,700 per 50kg bag, which now has reached Rs4,650 per 50kg bag in wholesale market.

Traders further said that on July 2, 2020, PM Imran Khan took notice of increasing wheat flour prices, which at that time crossed Rs950 per 20kg bag and fixed commodity price at Rs860 per 20kg but since than the wheat flour prices have increased from Rs860 per 20kg to Rs1,220 per 20kg bag.

Traders further said that wheat flour prices were likely to further increase and might reach Rs1,500 per 20kg bag and sugar price was also likely to reach Rs5,000 per 50kg bag.

However, prices of eggs, chicken, vegetables, and fruits during the week under review witnessed a declining trend as egg price in wholesales market come down from Rs123 per dozen to Rs115 per dozen, and chicken price from 6,200 per 40kg to Rs4,500 per 40kg. In retail eggs are being sold at Rs120-125 per dozen and chicken at Rs130 per kg against Rs175 per kg, and chicken meat from Rs275 per kg to Rs200 per kg.

During the week, vegetables prices witnessed a declining trend as best quality potatoes remained stable at Rs270 per 5kg, while normal is available at Rs250 per 5kg, while in retail market best quality potatoes are being sold at Rs70 per kg, while normal at Rs60 per kg. Onions price went down from Rs220 per 5kg to Rs175 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs45 per kg against Rs55 per kg. Tomato price went down from Rs350 per 5kg to Rs275 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs65-70 per kg against Rs85 per kg.

Garlic price remained stable at Rs700 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs180 per kg, and ginger price remained stable at Rs2,200 per 5kg, which in retail market is being sold at Rs500 per kg.

Peas price jumped from Rs600 per 5kg to Rs750 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs190 per kg against Rs150 per kg, cucumber price went down from Rs150 per 5kg to Rs130 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs35 per kg against Rs40 per kg, okra price remained stable at Rs180 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs50 per kg, bitter-gourd price went down from Rs150 per 5kg to Rs100 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs30 per kg against Rs40 per kg.

Cauliflower price went down from Rs275 per 5kg to Rs250 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs70 per kg and cabbage price went down from Rs320 per 5kg to Rs250 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs60 per kg against Rs75 per kg.

Fresh bean prices went down from Rs400 per 5kg to Rs350 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs80-90 per kg against Rs90-100 per kg; zucchini price went down from Rs200 per 5kg to Rs150 per kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs45 per kg against Rs50 per kg.

During this week, ghee/cooking oil prices remained unchanged as second-grade ghee/cooking oil in wholesales market is available at Rs2,510 per carton of 16 packs, which in retail is being sold at Rs170 per pack, and first grade cooking oil/ghee is being sold at Rs1,250 per 5 litre bottle.

Rice prices also witnessed no changes during this week as the best quality Basmati rice is available at Rs6,100 per 40kg, and 2nd best quality from at Rs5,400 per 40kg, while broken Basmati rice price is at Rs4,000 per 40kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs180, Rs160 and Rs110 per kg respectively. During the week under review, prices of majority of pulses witnessed further decline as moong is being sold Rs250 per kg against Rs260 per kg, maash from Rs240 per kg to Rs220 per kg, best quality Lobia from Rs280 per kg to Rs260 per kg, masoor from Rs160 per kg to Rs150 per kg and chana from Rs135 per kg to Rs130 per kg.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020