Prices of most of the essential commodities have remained stable during last week, except slightly increase in rates of rice, cooking oil/ghee, flour and chicken in retail and wholesale markets, according to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.
In a visit to wholesale and retail markets by this scribe, it was witnessed that prices of important kitchen items were remain unchanged. A 49-kg bag of high quality rice after slightly price increased now available at Rs 6,000 and Rs 7,200.
Zahir Khan, a wholesaler in Rampura market said that the prices of cooking oil/ghee of different brands and varieties marginally gone up, as a tin of 16-kg is selling from Rs 1,960, Rs 2,420 and Rs 2,470 in the wholesale market, while a 5-kg tin is available at Rs 765, Rs 800 and Rs 950.
However, he said the pulses prices were stable in both wholesale and retail markets. In the last week, the prices of sugar went down in wholesale market, as a 49-kg bag is available at Rs 2,590 against Rs 2,650. But the wholesale prices varied from retail rates in some parts of the provincial capital, as shopkeepers and retailers were charging the consumers with different rates, against the official prices.
The flour prices also gone up in wholesale and retail markets as a 85-kg bag is available at Rs 3,900, which was selling at Rs 3,600 in the last week as compared to the preceding week. Similarly, the retail rates also steadily increased as fine flour is being sold at Rs 46 per kg against the Rs 38 per kg, while brown atta being available at Rs 42 per kg against the Rs 32 per kg in the last week.
Prices of most of the vegetables were also remain unchanged in the last week, as tomato is available at Rs 50-60 per kg, while onion being sold at Rs 40 per kg. The chicken is being sold at 166 per kg, while gold weight chicken available at Rs 280. Cow meat is being sold at Rs 270-280 per kg against the official rate of Rs 220 per kg.