Prices of most of essential kitchen items on the rise

WAQAR LILLAH

ISLAMABAD: Prices of most of the essential kitchen items increased last week as compared to the preceding week, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday.

Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad told Business Recorder that eggs prices soared by Rs 7 per dozen and were available at Rs 97 per dozen.

They maintained that prices of some perishable food items like vegetable and fruits fluctuated last week as compared to the preceding week, as some registered increase in prices while the prices of other remained stable.

Lodging complaint against the shortage of wheat flour in markets of the cities, they said the government failed in bridging demand and supply gap.

The survey noted that vegetables prices increased during last week as compared to the preceding week. Tomato price increased from Rs 80 per kg to Rs 90 per kg, reflecting an increase of Rs 10 per kg and Shimla Mirch price increased from Rs 80 to 85 per kg, registering an increase of Rs 5 per kg. Potato was being sold at Rs 35-40 per kg against Rs 30 week past price, onion at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 55 per kg last week price, carrot at Rs 30 per kg and radish was being sold at Rs 30 per kg during the week past.

Mixed trend was observed in fruits prices as some registered slight increase while other remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week, banana was available at Rs 100-120 per dozen against Rs 90-100 per dozen week past price, registering an increase of Rs 10-20 per dozen, Kinnow at Rs 80-130 per dozen, apple was available at Rs 130-180 per kg, guava at Rs 60 per kg, while Shikary Malta was being sold at Rs 120-150 per dozen last week as compared to the preceding week.

Meanwhile, meat prices remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week, as mutton was available at Rs 560 per kg and beef at Rs 360 per kg, while chicken was being sold at Rs 110 per kg.

The survey noted that prices of cooking oil, pulses, rice and wheat flour remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week, as a tin of cooking oil (2.5 litres) was available at Rs 535, vegetable ghee (2.5 kg) at Rs 505 but vegetable ghee (loose) was available at Rs 160-170 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week. A 20 kg wheat flour bag was available at Rs 670-700 and fresh milk was being sold at Rs 70-75 per litre last week against the prices of preceding week.

However, prices of entire range of pluses remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week as Masoor washed was available at Rs 110, Moong washed at Rs 120-127 per kg, mash washed at Rs 150-153 per kg. Basmati rice broken was being sold at Rs 90-100 per kg while colonel rice was available at Rs 135 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week.