The prices of major essential kitchen items have witnessed an increasing trend during the past week compared to the week before, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.

The survey observed a fresh increase in pulses' prices, which last weekend witnessed a little reduction and this weekend again started moving up.

Sugar price during the week under review went up from Rs 3,920 per 50kg bag to Rs 3,960 per 50kg bag, and wheat flour prices went down from Rs840 per 20kg bag to Rs805 per 20kg bag.

According to traders, the pulses prices, which last weekend recorded some reduction now once again have started going up.

Traders said that since Jan the pulses prices are on the rise but in March witnessed significant increase that has taken the pulses prices out of the reach of the common man as dal moong price reached Rs320 per kg mark, and mash pulse price hit Rs280 per kg level, and gram pulse at Rs175 per kg.

During the week under review, prices of most of the pulses went up as moong pulse is being sold at Rs290 per kg against Rs275 per kg, best quality lobia pulse witnessed significant increase as it went up from Rs230 per kg to Rs270 per kg, maash pulse went up from Rs245 per kg to Rs250-260 per kg, masoor pulse went up from Rs150 per kg to Rs160 per kg, chana pulse went up from Rs140 per kg to Rs150 per kg.

Similarly, normal quality lobia price has reached Rs200 per kg from Rs 170-180 per kg mark. Sugar prices went up from Rs 3,920 per 50kg bag to Rs3,960 per 50kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs85 per kg.

No changes were observed in rice prices, as best quality Basmati rice is available at Rs165 per kg, while broken best quality basmati rice is available at Rs100 per kg. Moreover, no changes were witnessed in ghee/cooking oil, tea, spices, powder milk, salt, chili, turmeric, and other items.

Egg prices went down from Rs95 in wholesale to Rs85 per dozen, which in retail is being sold at Rs95 per dozen against Rs105 per dozen. Lemon price has witnessed a reduction from Rs 1,800 per 5kg to Rs1,000 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs250 per kg against Rs400 per kg.

Chicken price went down from Rs7,000 per 40kg to Rs6,200 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs190 per kg against 210 per kg, while chicken meat is available at Rs280 per kg against Rs310 per kg.

It was observed that the traders of vegetables and fruits are not following government fixed rates of any commodity as government has fixed chicken price at Rs180 but shopkeepers are selling it at Rs190 per kg.

During the week, vegetables prices witnessed a declining trend as price of onions went down from Rs220 per 5kg to Rs175 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs45 per kg against Rs55 per kg.

Tomato price went down from Rs175 per 5kg to Rs130 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs35 per kg against Rs45 per kg. Potato price went down from Rs300 per 5kg to Rs250 per 5kg, which in retail are being sold at Rs60 per kg against Rs70-75 per kg.

Garlic price went down from Rs1,320 per 5kg to Rs1,000 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs250 per kg against Rs350 per kg, and ginger price went down from Rs1,250 per 5kg to Rs1,150 per 5kg, which in retail market is being sold at Rs300 per kg against Rs350 per kg.

Overall fruit prices witnessed an increasing trend as best quality white apple price went further up from Rs170 per kg to Rs200 per kg, while normal is available in the range of Rs150-170 per kg against Rs130-150 per kg, Pakistan Kalakilo apple price went further up from Rs210 per kg to Rs225 per kg, Iranian Kalakilo apple price went further up from Rs225 per kg to Rs250 per kg, and golden apple price is stable at Rs175 per kg. Good quality banana is being sold at Rs175 per dozen while normal quality at Rs130 per dozen, Lokaat at Rs80 per kg.

Various qualities of melons are available in the range of Rs40-100 per kg, while outgoing oranges are available in the range of Rs90 per dozen to Rs200 per dozen, strawberry price is stable at Rs100-150 per kg, and dates at Rs225 per kg and various qualities of peach in the range of Rs100-175 per kg. Fresh arrival mangoes are available at Rs90 per kg, Cherry at Rs300 per kg, and Falsa at Rs250 per kg.