Prices of essential kitchen items witnessed an increase during this week past as compared to preceding week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday. The survey noted a significant increase in prices of books and stationary as educational year is commencing from the next month. Traders at Urdu Bazaar Rawalpindi told this correspondent that prices of all books from class prep to secondary and higher secondary levels as well as other related items have witnessed a massive increase as a result of depreciation of Pakistani currency against global currencies and other reasons.
A book set of class one costing Rs 2,500 past year has reached Rs 3,500 per set and prices of a notebook which was previously available at Rs 75 has reached Rs 120, stationary traders said.
They said that the increase is not final as another price hike in stationary prices is on the cards when in March the new educational term will start. The traders said that this year, the parents will have to pay at least 50 percent extra on account of schools' uniform, shoes and bag prices.
Meanwhile, the survey observed an increase in the prices of most of vegetables, chicken and eggs while fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend. The survey observed no change in the prices of non-perishable items including ghee/cooking oil, pulses, rice, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Eggs' price went up from Rs 105 to Rs 110 per dozen in the wholesale market which were being sold at Rs 120 against Rs 115 per dozen in the retail market; live chicken price went up from Rs 4,700 to Rs 4,800 per 40kg which was being sold at Rs 150 against Rs 145 per kg in the retail market; and chicken meat was being sold at Rs 250 per kg.
Onions price went up from Rs 120 to Rs 130 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 30-35 against Rs 30 per kg in the retail market; tomatoes price went up from Rs 300 to Rs 425 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 120 against Rs 85 per kg in the retail market; and potatoes prices went up from Rs 70 to Rs 90 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 20-25 per kg in the retail market.
Local garlic prices went up from Rs 250-300 to Rs 300-400 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 70-95 against Rs 65-80 per kg in the retail market while Chinese garlic's price went up from Rs 450 to Rs 500 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 140 against Rs 125 per kg in the retail market; and local ginger price went up from Rs 600 to Rs 750 per 5kg, which was being sold at Rs 180 against Rs 160 per kg in the retail market.
Capsicum price went up from Rs 350 to Rs 450 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 120-125 against Rs 95-100 per kg in the retail market; yam (arvi) price remained stable at Rs 230 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 60-65 per kg in the retail market; carrot price went up from Rs 120 to Rs 140 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 35 against Rs 30 per kg in the retail market; radish price remained stable at Rs 100 per 8-kg pack which was being sold at Rs 20 per kg in the retail market; and peas price went up from Rs 150 to Rs 175 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 50 against Rs 45 per kg in the retail market.
Cucumber price remained stable at Rs 200 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 45-50 per kg in the retail market; cauliflower price went up from Rs 130 to Rs 150 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 35 per kg; and cabbage price remained stable at Rs 80 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 20 per kg in the retail market.
Okra price went up from Rs 500 to Rs 550 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 145 against Rs 135 per kg in the retail market; brinjal price remained stable at Rs 150 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 40 per kg in the retail market; and ridge gourd (tori) price went up from Rs 350 to Rs 400 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 100 against Rs 90 per kg in the retail market. Pumpkin price remained unchanged at Rs 330 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 75-80 per kg; tinda price remained stable at Rs 180 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 40-45 per kg in the retail market; beans price further went down from Rs 280 to Rs 250 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 65-70 per kg in the retail market, and bitter gourd (kareela) price went up from Rs 450 to Rs 600 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 170 against Rs 125 per kg in the retail market.
Prices of all major pulses witnessed no change as fine quality white lentil (maash) was being sold at Rs 170 per kg, its normal quality at Rs 135 per kg; good quality grams at Rs 170 per kg and its normal quality at Rs 130 per kg; kidney bean (lobia) in the range of Rs 130-170 per kg; green gram (moong) at Rs 120 per kg; and red lentil (masoor) at Rs 130 per kg. Wheat flour price remained stable at Rs 785 per 20kg bag.