The prices of the essential kitchen items witnessed an increase during the past week as compared to the preceding week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday. The survey observed that tomato price went up from Rs 225 to Rs 400 per 15-kg box, Rs 150 per 5-kg from Rs 80 per 5-kg in wholesales market which in retail are being sold at Rs 35 per kg against Rs 20 per kg.
Potato price also went up as a quintal of potatoes in wholesales market being available at Rs 2,300 against Rs 2,000 per quintal, while in retail market potatoes are being sold in the range of Rs 25-35 per kg against Rs 18-25 per kg; onion price also went up from Rs 2,600 per quintal to Rs 3,000 per quintal which in retail are being sold in the range of Rs 30-40 per kg against Rs 25-40 per kg, ginger price went up from Rs 350 per 5-kg to Rs 400 per 5-kg which in retail market is being sold at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 85 per kg.
Garlic price registered an increase as best quality local garlic went up from Rs 500 per 5-kg to Rs 750 per 5-kg and normal local garlic from Rs 400 per 5-kg to Rs 600 per 5-kg which in retail are being sold at Rs 200 per kg and Rs 150 per kg respectively.
The price of lemon went up from Rs 1,000 per 5-kg to Rs 1,250, which in retail market is being sold at Rs 250 per kg against Rs 220 per kg. Brinjal price went up from Rs 120 to Rs 130 per 5-kg in wholesales market which in retail is being available in the range of Rs 30-35. Cucumber price went up from Rs 80 per 5-kg to Rs 120 per 5-kg which in retail market is being sold at Rs 30-35 per kg.
Okra price further went up from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per 5-kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 85-90 against Rs 80 per kg, peas price remained stable at Rs 280 per 5-kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 70-75 per kg, tinda price went up from Rs 200 to Rs 250 per 5-kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 50 per kg, maro kadu at Rs 150 per 5-kg, and kadu at Rs 200 per 5-kg in wholesales market while in retail maro kadu is being sold at Rs 40 per kg and kadu at Rs 50 per kg. Kareela price remained stable at Rs 200 per 5-kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 50 per kg and tori at Rs 300 per 5-kg, which in retail market is being sold in the range of Rs 65-70 per kg.
Cauliflower price went up from Rs 100 per 5-kg to Rs 200 per 5-kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 25 per kg and cabbage price went down from Rs 150 to Rs 120 per 5-kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 40 per kg. Capsicum price remained stable at Rs 200 per 5-kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 50 per kg; beans price remained stable at Rs 300 per 5-kg, which in retail market are being sold at Rs 70 per kg.
During the week under review, chicken prices remained stable at Rs 5,500 per 40-kg, while in retail market live chicken is available at Rs 150 per kg and chicken meat price reduced from Rs 280 per kg to Rs 260 per kg. Egg prices remained stable at Rs 72 per dozen which in retail market are being sold at Rs 84 per dozen. Sugar price remained stable at Rs 2,950 per 50-kg bag, which in retail market is being sold at Rs 63-65 per kg. There was also no change in wheat flour price as a bag of 20-kg normal quality wheat flour is available at Rs 750, while good quality at Rs 780 per 20-kg bag.
The survey observed that the suppliers of cosmetic, milk products and other daily use items have started a drive to increase the prices of their products without stating any reason. According to traders in Ganj Mandi Rawalpindi, it is a routine prior to every federal budget that suppliers of cosmetic, milk, packed spices and other products increase the prices. They said within a month or so such suppliers and traders make billions of rupees by overcharging the masses.
Good quality fresh milk is being available at Rs 100 per kg while normal at Rs 85 per kg and fresh yogurt is being sold at Rs 100-120 per kg. Prices of all the major pulses remained stable as Maash is being sold at Rs 160 per kg, Channa at Rs 170 per kg, Lobia at Rs 100-120 per kg, Moong at Rs 120 per kg and Masoor at Rs 110 per kg, while the rice prices were also found stable as best quality Basmati rice is available at Rs 120 per kg and normal quality rice at Rs 70 per kg.
The prices of entire range of fruits also remained stable as melon is being sold at Rs 40 per kg, watermelon at Rs 20-30 per kg, best quality Chinese apple at Rs 200 per kg, local best quality apple Kala Kolu at Rs 140 per kg, Iranian apple at Rs 175, golden apple at Rs 120 per kg and normal quality ambri apple at Rs 70 per kg. Best quality Indian banana is being sold at Rs 150 per dozen and normal quality at Rs 120 per dozen. Best quality local banana is available at Rs 100 per dozen while normal quality at Rs 60-70. Best quality guava is being available at Rs 80 per kg, while guava with normal quality is being available in the range of Rs 50-70 per kg, Chinese pear at Rs 150 per kg, and strawberry at Rs 220 per kg.