Prices of kitchen items show nominal decline

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items showed a nominal decline during the week past as compared to the preceding week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed.

Traders at Gunj Mandi in Rawalpindi (wholesale market) of staple food items, while talking to Business Recorder attributed the massive decline in the prices of gur and sugar to the government decision of closing down Pak-Afghan border.

They further said that with the onset of the current season, 5-kg gur was available at Rs 2300 to Rs 2500, however, after the closure of Pak-Afghan border, the prices of the commodity sharply declined and now it is being sold at Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per 5-kg. Similarly, sugar prices also witnessed a sharp declined during last few weeks. Sugar was being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 55 last week, while at Utility Stores sugar is available at Rs 42 per kg against Rs 55 per kg few weeks ago.

It was noted that tomatoes are being sold at Rs 50 per kg and onions at Rs 45 per kg against Rs 60 and Rs 50 last week. At present green chilies are being sold at Rs 130 per kg against Rs 115-120 per kg last week and cauliflower at Rs 52-55 per kg against Rs 50. Prices of cooking oil/ghee remained unchanged during the week past as compared to the preceding week and are being sold at Rs 185-195 per liter and Rs 175 to Rs 190 per kg respectively.

However, chicken prices witnessed a sharp increase during the week past as compared to the last week and is being sold at Rs 155 per kg against Rs 145 per kg last week.