Vegetable prices continue to rise

ISLAMABAD: High prices of vegetables have made it difficult for people to manage their monthly home budgets.

Prices of vegetables continue to rise due to reduced supply of goods. Tomatoes which was selling for Rs15 per kg in mid-June, is now being sold at Rs40-50 per kg.

A fruit and vegetable agent at Fruit Mandi of Islamabad told APP that the prices of vegetables and fruits have increased due to reduced supply of the commodities. "The reduction in supply of commodities has been due to heavy downpour across the country in the monsoon" he added.

The rate list of different vegetables at weekly bazaars, issued by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Directorate of Municipal Administration on Sunday, showed that several vegetables' prices are on rise as their rates had gone up considerably as compared to the last month's rates.

Presently, onions are being sold at price Rs90 per five kilograms while potatoes at Rs110 per five kg, `Teenda' (Desi) at Rs36 per kg, 'Teenda' (Wilayati) Rs46 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs24 per kg, White Kadu Rs20 per kg, Tori at Rs24 per kg, tomatoes Rs40 per kg, Kheera at Rs22 per kg, green chilly Rs40 per kg, Shimla Mirch at Rs60 per kg and Chinese Cauliflower Rs40 per kg.

According to the rate lists of different fruits at Sunday bazaar, apple is available at Rs70 per kg, apple (china golden) Rs180 per kg, Apple (Kashmiri) Rs.50 per kg, Banana (1st) Rs60 a dozen, Banana (2nd) Rs30 a dozen.

Mango (Sindhri) Rs80 per kg, Mango (Chonsa) Rs70 per kg, Mango (Langra) Rs60, Mango (Almas) Rs40, Mango (Dosehri) Rs60 per kg, Mango (Desi) Rs40 per kg, Cherry Rs200-220 per kg, Grapes Rs120 to 150 per kg, Aaro Rs70 per kg, Dates Rs150 to 200 and Jaman Rs50 per kg.

Chicken Shaver Rs157 per kg, Chicken (Brader) Rs120 per kg, Chicken (Desi) Rs250 per kg, Mutton Rs200 per kg, egg Rs81 a dozen and egg (desi) Rs110 per kg.

It may be mentioned here that fruit and vegetable vendors at different places in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are selling fruits without displaying rate lists at their stalls for overcharging public.

The consumers complain that the vendors are violating rate lists issued by the concerned authorities.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011