Prices of essential food commodities, including vegetable, pulses, live chicken/meat, sugar, fruits and others have risen considerably in retail market, according to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.
Buyers in the provincial capital Peshawar have complained that the prices of vegetables are sky-high in retail market and beyond their purchasing power. They blamed the local administration for not keeping check on the rising rates of daily use items.
The survey noticed that the prices of veggies have touched new heights as a manifold increased was witnessed almost in all food items in local markets. Peas are being sold at Rs 200 per kilogram, while arvi is available at Rs 140 per kilogramme. Lady finger at Rs 120 per kilogramme, capsicum at Rs 100 per kilogramme, the survey noticed. It added that apple, round and other gourds are being sold within range of Rs 70 and Rs 80 per kilogramme. Karela (bitter gourd) is being sold at Rs 100 per kilogramme. Cabbage at Rs 100 per kilogramme and cauliflower at Rs 70 per kilogramme.
Ginger is being sold at Rs 250 per kilogramme, garlic at Rs 120-150 per kilogramme. Onion is being sold at Rs 70 and Rs 50 per kilogramme. Cucumber at Rs 30 per kilogramme. Green chilli is being sold at Rs 150 per kilogramme. Lemon at Rs 200 per kilogramme. Vendors are charging Rs 60 and Rs 70 per kilogramme for potatoes while same quality potato is available at Rs 40 per kilogramme at pushcarts.
According to the survey, the chicken meat is being sold at Rs 181 per kilogramme which was selling at Rs 171 per kilogram in the previous week. A dozen of farm eggs are being sold at Rs 80 and Rs 100 in local market. Beef is being sold at Rs 400 and Rs 420 per kilogramme while mutton meat is available at Rs 700 and Rs 800 per kilogramme.
The survey witnessed that the prices of food grains/pulses remained unchanged in retail market. Gram flour (baisen) is being sold at Rs 120 per kilogramme against the price of Rs 140 per kilogramme in the previous week. Sugar is being sold at Rs 70 and Rs 72 per kilogramme.
Dates are available at Rs 160 and Rs 200 per kilogramme which was selling at Rs 250 per kilogramme and Rs 300 per kilogramme last week. However, the prices of different brands of beverages have remained unchanged in local market.
Good quality rice (sela) is available at Rs 150 per kilogramme and Rs 140 per kilogramme, while toota rice is sold at Rs 80 per kilogramme. Big size white channa is being sold at Rs 140 and Rs 120 per kilogramme.
Dal mash is available at Rs 140 per kilogramme, dal masoor at Rs 100 per kilogramme and Rs 90 per kilogramme, the survey noticed, and added that dhoti dal priced at Rs 130 per kilogramme, red bean is available at Rs 140 and Rs 180 per kilogramme which was selling at Rs 120 and Rs 160 per kilogramme respectively. Moonge is being sold at Rs 150 per kilogramme.
The survey further showed that white lobiya is being sold at Rs 120 per kilogramme which was selling at Rs 110 per kilogramme. Dal chilka (black) is available at Rs 140 per kilogramme while dal chilka (green) is priced at Rs 130 per kilogramme. Dal channa is being sold at Rs 120 per kilogramme.
According to the survey, the prices of cooking oil/ghee of different brands and quality remained unchanged in the retail market as they are available within the range of Rs 170, Rs 180 and Rs 200 per litre/kg.
Fresh milk is being sold at Rs 110 per litre against the official fixed price of Rs 100 per litre, while yogurt is available at Rs 120 per kilogramme against the official fixed rate of Rs 90 per kilogramme.
Watermelon is being sold at Rs 60 per kilogramme, melon is being sold at Rs 30 per kilogramme against the price of Rs 50 per kilogramme last week. Green coloured apple is available at Rs 120 per kilogramme against the price of Rs 100 per kilogramme in the previous week, while red-coloured apples are being available at Rs 150 and Rs 200 per kilogramme in local market. Peach is being sold at Rs 150 per kilogramme.