Prices of most of the essential kitchen items witnessed no change last week as compared to the preceding 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 Business Recorder that prices of almost entire range of essential kitchen items remained stable as eggs per dozens are being sold at Rs 90 per dozen, pulses, including Moong, Masoor, Mash and Gram, are being sold at the range of Rs 70 per kg to Rs 150 per kg. Mash is being sold at Rs 150 per kg, Masoor is being sold at Rs 140 and gram pulse is being sold at Rs 70 per kg, while the price of Moong and Lobia pulses are stable at Rs 140 per kg and Rs 120 per kg, respectively.
Traders maintained that prices of some perishable food items like vegetable and fruits fluctuated last week as compared to the preceding week, as some items registered increase in prices while prices of other items remained stable.
The survey noted that prices of good quality orange have increased to Rs 80 per dozen from Rs 70 per dozen, cooking oil/ghee, salt, spices and other items have witnessed no change in prices. While the live chicken and chicken meat prices have registered a further reduction, now live chicken is available at Rs 3,900 per 40 kg in wholesale market against Rs 4,000 per 40 kg last week, while in retail market live chicken is being sold at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 130 per kg and chicken meat at Rs 200 per kg against Rs 220 per kg. In the retail market, onions are being sold at Rs 40 per kg, potatoes at Rs 30 per kg, tomatoes at Rs 60 per kg, cauliflower at Rs 30 per kg, cabbage at Rs 20 per kg, spinach at Rs 10 per kg, tinda at Rs 25 per kg, carrot at Rs 30 per kg, and radish at Rs 20 per kg.
Ginger and garlic prices have also witnessed no change as the commodities are being sold at Rs 100 and Rs 120 per kg, respectively. Cucumber which was being sold at Rs 75 per kg in the retail market a few weeks ago is now available at Rs 40 per kg. Green chili was being sold at Rs 60 per kg. Shimla Mirch (capsicum), okra and peas were the most expensive vegetables in the market selling at Rs 100 per kg, Rs 90 per kg and Rs 80 per kg, respectively, while Arvi (taro) was available at Rs 40 per kg and cabbage at Rs 25 per kg.
Eggs prices are stable at Rs 90 per dozen which a few weeks ago were being sold at Rs 120 per dozen. Prices of fresh milk ranged between Rs 80 and Rs 90 per kg, while Nestle has increased the price of its one litre milk pack from Rs 100 to Rs 120.
Beef was available at Rs 300 per kg and mutton was being sold between Rs 600-650 per kg. Traders in the local market said prices of pulses and other food grains remained unchanged as their prices are subject to their production and yield, rather than reduction in petroleum products' prices.