A sharp increase has been witnessed in the prices of vegetables, fruit and grocery items ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. According to a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Sunday, the prices of most of the grocery items have registered an increase of up to 80 percent in retail market.
Tomato is being sold at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kilogram, which was available at Rs 50 to Rs 60 three days ago, while the rate of ginger has also increased to Rs 300 per kilogram from Rs 160 per kg, and garlic is available at Rs 250 per kilogram, against Rs 120 per kg. A five-kilogram high quality onion is available at Rs 300, which was being sold at Rs 180 during last week. Green chilly is being sold at Rs 200 per kilogram against Rs 80 per kg.
Similarly, five-kilogram red potato is being sold at Rs 250 against Rs 200 in the retail market. The price of cauliflower has increased to Rs 60 and Rs 80 per kilogram against Rs 40 per kg; ladyfinger is available at Rs 60 per kg gainst Rs 40 per kg.
Shimla mirch has registered an increase from Rs 160 to Rs 240 per kg; cabbage Rs 100-120 per kg; peas Rs 160 per kg; Arvi Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg; tinda Rs 40 per kg; ladyfinger Rs 50 per kg; cauliflower Rs 50 per kg; Kaddo Rs 40 per kg; brinjal Rs 30 per kg; Karela Rs 40 per kg and Turnip Rs 40 per kg. Cucumber is available at Rs 50 per kg and lemon is being sold at Rs 140 per kg.
High trend of prices has also been witnessed in pulses, with an increase of 20 to 30 percent. The retailers and vendors are not selling pulses/grains as per official prices in the open market.
Daal maach is available at Rs 120 per kg; Daal masoor at Rs 110 per kg; Daal channa at Rs 70 per kg; high quality rice is being sold at Rs 130 and low quality at Rs 90 per kg; tota rice is available at Rs 70 per kg; Moonge is being sold at Rs 120 per kg; Malaka masoor at Rs 130 per kg; moonge tota at Rs 120 per kg; sugar is being sold at Rs 55 per kg and Baisen at Rs 90 per/kg. Chicken is being sold at Rs 120 per kg against the official price of Rs 110 and eggs are available at Rs 84 per dozen.
Similarly, a sharp increase has been witnessed in the prices of fruit. Banana is being sold at Rs 70 per kg, apple at Rs 100-150 per/kg, and Grapes are available at Rs 160-180 per kg.
"Is there any check and balance on the surging prices of daily use items, which is beyond the purchasing power of common man?" asks Fakhar-e-Alam, a government servant, while buying apples at a pushcart in Hashtnagri market Peshawar. Traders and retailers say the prices shoot up due to increasing prices of petroleum.