Prices of essential items show an upward trend

The prices of essential kitchen items remained on high side without significant changes during the last week as compared to the preceding week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed on Saturday. Survey noted that retailers have increased the prices of ghee and cooking oil by Rs 10-15 per kg by taking full advantage of strike of Pakistan Venaspati Ghee Manufacturers Association (PVGMA).
However, irony is that no action has been taken against retailers for increasing the ghee price without any official notification. The PVGMA had announced to go on strike by shutting down all ghee and cooking oil mills across the country from February 18 following the burning of four National Logistic Cell's tankers carrying consignments of edible oil from Port Qasim. Manufacturers of ghee and cooking oil have warned of further surge in prices of the commodities by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg in next few days.
In the twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, traders told this scribe that prices of some of the essentials kitchen items increased significantly, however rates of some of the essential commodities registered a nominal decline last week as compared to the previous week. Similarly, prices of vegetables and fruits registered mixed trend in the week under review as compared to the previous week.
Survey further noted that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices decreased by Rs 5 per kg, which was also declined by Rs 10 during last two week, resultantly price of firewood declined by Rs 10 to 20 per mound. Poultry products prices registered a significant and constant increase during the last few weeks, as chicken live is being sold at Rs 180 per kg and chicken meat at Rs 170 per kg against Rs 165 and Rs 160 per kg respectively during last week. However, some of the kitchen items prices remained unchanged during the last week as compared to the preceding week.
Survey noted that tomatoes and onions are being sold at Rs 70-80 and Rs 55 per kg respectively without any significant changes during last week. Potato was being sold at Rs 15-20 per kg against Rs 20-25 per kg last week. Shimla mirch is being sold at Rs 80 per kg against Rs 75-80 per kg; green chillies are being sold at Rs 120-130 per kg and cauliflower at Rs 40-45 per kg respectively during the week past without significant changes. Prices of carrot, garlic and arvi registered a nominal increase of Rs 3-5 per kg respectively.
Prices of pulses remained unchanged for last several weeks, however during the last week; it registered a nominal increase as compared to the preceding week. Dal Channa was available at Rs 78 per kg, Dal Masoor at Rs 128 per kg, Maash at Rs 150-170 per kg and Dal Moong at Rs 152 per kg against Rs 75,125 and 150 per kg respectively.
Similarly, increase was registered in some varieties of rice during last week. Broken rice was available at Rs 60-75 in different markets. Similarly, basmati depending on quality was available at Rs 100-120 per kg with an increase of Rs 5 per kg during last week.
However, no significant change was observed in the fruit prices, which remained on the high side during the week under review as compared to the last week. Banana was being sold at Rs 70-80 depending on quality. Guava price remained unchanged and was being sold at Rs 50-55 per kg. Apple was available at Rs 120 to 150 per kg depending on quality, while orange was available at Rs 80-120 in different markets.