Prices of most of the essential kitchen items have witnessed a mixed trend during this week past as compared to previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday. The survey observed during the week under review vegetable prices witnessed a mixed trend as onions price reduced from Rs350 per 5 kg to Rs330 per 5 kg which in retail market were being sold at Rs80 per kg against Rs85 per kg, tomatoes price went up from Rs430 per 5 kg to Rs700 per 5 kg which were being sold at Rs150 per kg against Rs110 per kg and potatoes' price remained unchanged at Rs220 per 5 kg which were being sold at Rs50-55 per kg.

Garlic price went down from Rs775 per 5 kg to Rs680 per 5 kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs200 per kg against Rs230 per kg and Chinese garlic price went up from Rs900 per 5 kg to Rs1,100 per 5 kg which in retail market was available at Rs300 per kg against Rs275 per kg. Ginger price remained stable at Rs1,700 per 5 kg which was being sold at Rs400 per kg.

Egg price went down from Rs115 per dozen to Rs110 per dozen, chicken price went up from Rs5,700 per 40 kg to Rs5,900 per 40 kg which in the retail market was being sold at Rs170 per kg against Rs160 per kg while chicken meat was being sold at Rs270 per kg against Rs260 per kg.

Prices of various qualities of pumpkin went down from Rs350-450 per 5 kg to Rs300-350 per 5 kg which were being sold in the range of Rs90-100 per kg against Rs95-120 per kg, and yam price went down from Rs450 per 5 kg to Rs430 per 5 kg which in the retail market was being sold at Rs100 per kg against Rs110 per kg. Okra price reduced from Rs500 per 5 kg to Rs50 per 5 kg which was being sold at Rs80 per kg against Rs120 per kg, bitter guard price increased from Rs300 per 5 kg to Rs370 per 5 kg which in retail was being sold at Rs80-85 per kg against Rs70-75 per kg and cabbage price went up from Rs150 per 5 kg to Rs175 per 5 kg which was being sold at Rs55 per kg against Rs45 per kg.

Peas price went down from Rs1,250 per 5 kg to Rs900 per 5 kg which in retail market were being sold at Rs200-220 per kg against Rs260 per kg, beans price went up from Rs475 per 5 kg to Rs530 per 5 kg which in the retail market were being sold at Rs130 per kg against Rs120 per kg, prices of various qualities of tinda went down from Rs450-550 per 5 kg to Rs300-450 per 5 kg, which in the retail market were being sold in the range of Rs70-110 per kg against Rs110-140 per kg; and green chili price went down from Rs1,000 per 5 kg to Rs800 per 5 kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs210 per kg against Rs225-250 per kg. Turnip price went down from Rs260 per 5 kg to Rs220 per 5 kg which in the retail market was being sold at Rs55-60 per kg against Rs65 per kg.

Capsicum price remained unchanged at Rs900 per 5 kg which was being sold at Rs210-220 per kg; cucumber price went down from Rs275 per 5 kg to Rs250 per kg which was being sold at Rs65-70 per kg against Rs75 per kg; cauliflower price went down from Rs375 per 5 kg to Rs225 per 5 kg which was being sold at Rs60 per kg against Rs95-100 per kg, and green zucchini (tori) price remained stable at Rs400 per 5 kg which in the retail market was being sold at Rs100 per kg.

Overall fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend as golden apple was being sold at Rs120 per kg against Rs130 per kg, Gaja apple was available at Rs135 per kg against Rs110 per kg, white apple in the range of Rs50-80 per kg, Pakistani Kala Kolo apple at Rs160 per kg against Rs145 per kg and Iranian Kala Kolo apple at Rs160 per kg against Rs150 per kg. Good quality local banana was being sold at Rs60 per dozen against Rs70 per dozen while normal quality banana was being sold in the range of Rs40-55 dozen, and guava was available at Rs75 per kg against Rs100 per kg. Various brands of oranges were being sold at Rs100-130 per dozen against Rs150-220 per dozen, grapes were being sold in the range of Rs100-180 per kg, and pomegranates were being sold in the range of Rs150-225 per kg.

The current government instead of reducing the prices of essential commodities is reducing packing size of different commodities, as the government directed to reduce the wheat flour packing of 20 kg bag to 15 kg and fixed price at Rs640 per 15 kg bag but within three weeks the price of 15 kg wheat flour bag jumped up to Rs730 per 15 kg bag while during previous government 20 kg wheat flour bag was available at this price throughout five year tenure, they alleged.

They complained that within over one year rule of Imran Khan, tea price has doubled, ghee prices have increased by 40 percent and vegetable/pulses prices have gone beyond the reach of common man.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019