The prices of tomato, a key kitchen staple, have soared to an all-time high of Rs2,400 per box in wholesales market, while prices of other vegetables, have witnessed a mixed trend, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday. According to traders at Rawalpindi/Islamabad wholesales vegetables and fruit market, the tomatoes and onions witnessed manifold increase in prices due to damages in parts of Sindh, Balochsitan and Khyber Pakhtunkwa as a result of devastating floods.
The traders said that at present onions and tomatoes are being imported from Afghanistan but within next three weeks, the crops from Qilla Saifullah Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Swat will arrive in the market which will normalize the prices.
The survey observed that the price of tomatoes in wholesales market has reached Rs2,400 per box of 15 kg against Rs1,500 for, onion price also witnessed an increase as per quintal onion is being sold at Rs6,000 against Rs5,800.
In retail market potatoes are being sold at Rs40-45 per kg, tomatoes Rs220 per kg against Rs140 per kg and onions at Rs80 per kg against Rs70 per kg. Ginger price is stable at Rs750 per kg which in retail is being sold at Rs180 per kg while garlic price is also stable at Rs500 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs120 per kg.
Spinach and mint in wholesales market is being sold at Rs120 a bundle pack which in retail is available at Rs 30 per bundle. Capsicum price has reduced to Rs180 per 5 kg from Rs 300 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 45 to rs50 per kg against Rs70 per kg, peas are being sold at Rs1,000 per 5 kg in wholesales market which, in retail are being sold at Rs 200 per kg and arvi price has been reduced from Rs 150 per 5 kg to Rs100 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 40 per kg, carat price came down from Rs 250 per 5 kg to Rs 170 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 60 per kg.
Chicken prices witnessed a slight increase from Rs3,600 per 40 kg to Rs4,000 per 40 kg which in retail market is being sold at Rs120 per kg against Rs100-110 per kg. While chicken meat is being sold at Rs185 per kg against Rs170 per kg against and there is no change in eggs' price which are available at Rs105 per dozen in wholesales market while in retail are being sold at Rs115-120 per dozen.
Okra price is stable at Rs200 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs50 per kg, tori is being sold at Rs250 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs60 per kg. Cauliflower price is stable at Rs300 per 5 kg which in retail is being sold at Rs70 per kg and cabbage price further went up from Rs120 per 5 kg to Rs200 per kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs50 per kg against Rs35-40 per kg.
Lemon price is stable at Rs600 per 5 kg, which in retail market is being sold at Rs140 per kg, brinjal price went up from Rs120 per 5 kg to Rs150 per 5 kg which in retail market is being sold at Rs40 per kg against Rs30 per kg, cucumber price went up from Rs220 per 5 kg to Rs280 per 5 kg in wholesales market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs70 per kg against Rs55-60 per kg.
The prices of all the non-perishable kitchen items including rice, pulses, spices, sugar, tea and wheat flour remained stable during the week under review. Prices of all the major pulses witnessed no change as Massh is being sold at Rs180 per kg against, Mota Channa at Rs 190 per kg, Lobia in the range of Rs 120-Rs140 per kg, Moong at Rs 120 per kg and Masoor at Rs 110 per kg.
Fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend during the week under review as good quality banana price reduced from Rs80 per dozen to Rs70 per dozen, normal from Rs60 per dozen to Rs40 per dozen. Best quality guava is available at Rs70 per kg and normal quality guava at Rs40 per kg. Normal quality white apple is being sold at Rs60 per kg, Chinese apple at Rs200 per kg while New Zeeland apples at Rs250 per kg, various qualities of grapes are being sold in the range of Rs 90 per kg to Rs180 per kg.