Prices of most of the essential kitchen items including tea, formula milk and some vegetables registered upward trend during the last week as compared to the proceeding week, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday.
Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad told this correspondent that government increased sales tax on tea from five to 16 percent and resultantly the traders passed on the effect to the consumers. Tea prices of different brands increased by Rs 15-20 per kg, which resulted in increasing the prices from Rs 480- 495 per kg. Similarly, formula milk prices increased by Rs 10 per kg and reached Rs 400 per kg against previous price of Rs 390 per kg.
During last week rice prices witnessed an increase of Rs 2-3 per kg on different quality as super colonel was available at Rs 135 per kg and basmati rice at Rs 90-110 per kg in different markets, whereas Ghee/cooking oil prices also increased up to Rs 2 per kg on different brands. Some vegetables prices also increased during the week past as compared to the preceding week. Tomato price increased from Rs 65 to Rs 80 per kg and Shimla Mirch price increased from Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg. However, potato price remained stable at Rs 30 per kg, onion at Rs 50 per kg and carrot at Rs 30 per kg during the week past. Chicken price further declined during the week and it was available at Rs 110 per kg as compared to the preceding week. Eggs price remained unchanged.
Fruits prices registered a mix trend as some prices slightly increased, while others remained unchanged or decreased during the week past as compared to the preceding. Apple depending on quality was available at Rs 130-180 per kg registering an increase of Rs 20-25 per kg, banana at Rs 90-100 per dozen, kinnow at Rs 80-130 per dozen registering an increase of Rs 10-15 per dozen, guava price decreased from Rs 70 per kg to Rs 60 per, while Shikary Malta was being sold at Rs 120-150 per dozen without any significant change. No significant change was observed in pulses' prices during the week past.