Prices of essential food commodities have remained high-side during first 10-day of the holy month of Ramazan, as authorities concerned failed to implement official rates, it was revealed in a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.
Prices of grocery items are 'sky-high' since the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan. Shopkeepers are squeezing the consumers by charging with artificial rates. According to the survey, it was noticed prices of dates, gram flour, beverage, rice, vegetable, chicken meat and others kitchen items are beyond the purchasing power of the common man.
Gram flour (baisen) is being sold at Rs 130 per kg against the official rate of Rs 115 per kilo in retail market. Dates, varying quality and size, are also available within range of Rs 250, Rs 300 and Rs 350 per kilo. Price of different brands and quality beverage was also remained unchanged in retail market as three litre being sold at Rs 180 and Rs 190, while five litre bottle available within range of Rs 640 and Rs 600 in retail market.
Five kilogram gram flour (baisen) is being sold at Rs 575 or Rs 115 per kilo in wholesale market while it was priced at Rs 130-140 per kilo or Rs 700 per five kilogram in the retail market. A one-kilogram dates being sold within range of Rs 240-300 and Rs 400 per kg in retail market.
Likewise, good quality rice (sela) is available at Rs 140 per kg in retail market, but the wholesale rate price is Rs 130 per kg. Toota rice being sold at Rs 80 per kilo in retail market.
Big-size white channa is available at Rs 180 per kilogram in retail market, while it was priced at Rs 150 per kilogram or Rs 750 (five kilogram) in wholesale market. Dal mash is being sold at Rs 115 per kilogram in wholesale market, while the retail price is Rs 130 per kilogram. White lobiya is being sold at Rs 110 in wholesale market, while the retail price of the commodity is Rs 130 per kilo. Malika masoor dal is being at Rs 90 per kilogram in retail market, while in wholesale market, it was available at Rs 70 per kilogram.
Dhoti dal is being sold at Rs 90 per kilogram in wholesale, while in retail market; it is available at Rs 110 per kilo. Moonge is being sold at Rs 120 per kilogram in retail market, while it's available at Rs 100 per kilo in wholesale market. Similarly, the red bean (Tajikistan) is being sold at Rs 130 per kilogram while the wholesale rate is Rs 140 per kilogram. Dal green chilka is available at Rs 120 per kilogram in retail market, while Dal chilka black being sold at Rs 130 per kilogram in wholesale market.
The survey noticed that the price of chicken meat decreased in retail market as available at Rs 181 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs 198 per kilogram in the previous week. A dozen of farm eggs are being sold at Rs 100 and Rs 90.
Cow meat gone up to Rs 400 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs 300 and Rs 320 per kilo before the start of the holy month of Ramazan, while beef available at Rs 700-750 per kilo in retail market.
Sugar price decreased at Rs 54 per kilo against the Rs 56 per kilogram in the previous week, the survey noticed. A considerable increase in prices of almost all veggies was witnessed in retail market. One-kilogram ginger is being sold at Rs 250 per kilogram which was selling at Rs 200 per kilogram before start of the holy month of Ramazan. Garlic is being sold at Rs 100 per kilogram, onion available at Rs 40 per kilogram, and tomatoes are being sold at Rs 40 per kg.
Price of peas increased manifold in retail market as available at Rs 200 per kilogram. Cabbage price varies between Rs 40-50 per kg while cucumber price also hovers between Rs 30-40 per kg. Cauliflower is sold at Rs 40-50 per kg by various retailers while apple gourd, bottle gourd and ridge gourd prices range between Rs 40 and Rs 50 per kg.
The price of per kg lady finger in off season is tagged at Rs 80, while capsicum is being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg. Arvi is being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs 110-120 per litre against the official rate of Rs 90 per litre while yogurt available at Rs 110-120 per kilo against official rate of Rs 80 per kilo in local market.
Red colour Chinese apple is available at Rs 250 and Rs 300 per kilogram, light green colour apples are available at Rs 150-180 per kilogram. Price of banana almost doubled in retail market as available at Rs 120 and Rs 150 which was selling at Rs 70 per dozen before start of the holy month. A five kilogram melon at Rs 150, water melon at Rs 30-40 per kilo, strawberry at Rs 100-120 per kilogram, peach is being sold at Rs 150 per kilo; mangoes are being available at Rs 150-200 per kilogram.