A modest increase in prices of food grains and other essential kitchen items registered during the preceding week, according to weekly survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday. According to survey, the prices of essential items during the week under review over the previous week have risen substantially. Some of the food items including edible oil, pulses, wheat flour and a few vegetables have witnessed massive increase in their rates.
Wholesalers in provincial capital here attributed that the prices have gone up due to low supply of the food grains in market. They said the prices may increase further in coming days, as holy month of Ramazan is approaching nearer. A 49-kilogram sac of rice, has been increased at Rs 5,600, from Rs 5200/-, while a 49-kg bag of Dal channa rose up at Rs 4,600, which was selling at Rs 4300/- during the preceding week, according to survey. Similarly, the survey further witnessed that a 49-kg sac of good-quality big white bean, being sold at Rs 5,000/- against Rs 4,500/-, while price of a 49-kilogram bag of Malaka masoor, has also been increased at Rs 6,300/- which was selling at Rs 6,000/- during the corresponding week.
Red bean weight 49-kilogram available with range of Rs 4,500/- and Rs 5,500 in the market, while a 49-kg sac of Dal mash, being sold at Rs 9,000 with registering an increase of Rs 200/- per bag, dotti dal, available with range of Rs 7,500/- and Rs 7,800/- according to the survey, while moonge available at Rs 7,500 in the market, soji sac weight 49-kg, being sold at Rs 2,300/-. A 49-kilogram sac of sugar being sold at Rs 2,870 which was selling at Rs 2,650 registered a surge of Rs 220/-.
In the survey, it was noticed that all brands of ghee/cooking oil remained steady, remained on high side in the market, as 16-kilogram tin available with range of Rs 1710 to Rs 2380, while prices of cooking oil also firm, as tin of 16-Kilogram available at Rs 2630, Rs 2300, Rs 2400 and Rs 2680.
It was also noticed a sharp increase in price of vegetable in market, according to survey, as a five-kilogram tomato is being sold at Rs 250/-, while a five-kg onion available at Rs 220/- A five-kilogram peas available at Rs 500, ladyfinger available at Rs450, shimla mirch at Rs 400, and a five-kg arvi being sold at Rs 350, and karela at Rs 350. A five-kilogram turi being available at Rs 250, a five-kg potato at Rs 70 and Rs 80, a five-kg cauliflower at Rs 200, a five-kg cabbage at Rs 150, a five-kg tenda at Rs 250, a five-kg turnip at Rs 150. In the survey it was notice that rates of eggs remained declined as a box containing 300 eggs, is being sold at Rs 1500, while in retail market egg is available at Rs 70 and Rs 80 per dozen. Likewise, a good weight live chicken is being sold with range of Rs 250, and Rs 270, while chicken meat is available at Rs 135 per kilogram. Cow meat is available at Rs 300, and beef available at Rs 600 per kilogram. Vendors in provincial capital, also charging consumers with artificial rates of fresh milk, as available at Rs 60 Rs 80 and Rs 90 per kilogram, while yogurt is also being sold at Rs 80 and Rs 90 per kilogram, despite official fix rate of Rs 55 for fresh milk of one litre, and Rs 70 for one kilogram yogurt.