PESHAWAR: A mixed trend in prices of essential food commodities including live chicken/meat, eggs, sugar, flour, cooking oil/ghee, pulses, and vegetable was witnessed in the retail market, according to a survey conducted here on Sunday.
A sizable cut in prices of chicken meat was observed in the retail market as available at Rs221 per kg which was selling at Rs266, showing a decrease of Rs45 in the open market, the survey said. However, it added that the prices of a dozen of farm eggs has escalated at Rs180 per dozen against the price of Rs150 per dozen last week.
An increase of Rs200 per 50 kg sugar bag was noticed in the wholesale market that has surged up at Rs4700 per 50 kg sac, whereas sugar was being sold at Rs100-105 per kg at local stores in the open market.
In a visit to Rampura Market of Peshawar, it was noticed that the prices of cooking oil/ghee of different brands/quality were increased sharply. Locally manufactured ghee tin of 16 kg has increased at Rs4200 with increase of Rs100 in the rates.
According to the market sources, an increase of Rs450 on 5 kg ghee tin was made during the last four months, while the prices of imported and packed ghee from different countries have also been increased from Rs3700 to Rs2400 per 16-kg tin.
Prices of flour also stayed high-side in the retail market, as 20-kg mixed flour bags were being sold at R1000-1100 and fine flour 20 KG bags were available within range of Rs1150-1200 and Rs1300. Similarly, it was noticed that the prices of 50-80 kg flour sac were also increased.
Gram flour (baisen) was being sold at Rs120-140 per kg against the price of Rs90-100 per kg. A 20-kg mixed-flour sac was being sold within range of Rs850-900 and Rs1000, while a 20 kg fine flour bag was available at Rs1100-1200 and Rs1250 in the open market.
According to the survey, prices of veggies remained stable in the local market, as no significant change or increase was witnessed in the previous week as compared to the preceding week.
Tomatoes are being sold at Rs30 per kg, onion at Rs60 per kg, ginger at Rs420-450 per kg, garlic at Rs250 per kg. Red potato is being sold at Rs50 per kg, lemon Rs120 per kg, green chili at Rs150 per kg.
Lady finger was being sold at Rs100-120 per kg against the price of Rs150 per kg in the previous week, bitter gourd (karela) at Rs120-150 per kg, capsicum is being sold at Rs120 per kg, arvi is being sold at Rs100, peas at Rs80 per kg, turnip at Rs50 per kg, tinda at Rs60 per kg, French bean at Rs150-200 per kg, cabbage at Rs60 per kg, cauliflower at Rs30 per kg, bringle at Rs60 per kg.
A bundle of radish was available at Rs30, while spinach bundle was available at Rs25. Cucumber was being sold at Rs60 per kg. Fruits being a staple food, which is also completely out of purchasing power of common, as prices are sky-high in the local market. Pomegranate is being sold at Rs200-250, Kabul-origin apple is being sold at Rs220 per kg, while locally swat produced apple was available at Rs100-120 per kg, guava is being sold at Rs150 per kg, bananas are being sold at Rs50-60 and R70-80 per dozen, fruiter was available at Rs80 per dozen, orange at Rs120 per dozen.
No change was witnessed in prices of pulses/food grains. Good quality rice (sela) was being sold at Rs150-160 per kg, while other qualities were being available within range of Rs120-130 and Rs140 per kg, while tota rice was being sold at Rs70-80 per kg. Likewise, red bean is being sold within range of Rs180 and Rs200-220 per kg, white lobiya at Rs200 per kg, big-size white channa available at Rs140 per kg while small size at Rs120 per kg, mash dal was being sold at Rs260 per kg, dhoti dal at Rs220 per kg, dal masoor at Rs160 per kg.
Dal chilka (green) was available at Rs160 while dal chilka (black) was being sold at Rs220 per kg. Prices of dried fruits also touched a new peak in the retail market, which is unaffordable for a people to buy in this winter season.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021