Prices of essential food items increase substantially

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: The prices of most of the essential kitchen items witnessed substantial increase during the month under review as compared to the preceding month, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Traders in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad told this scribe that prices of most of the essential kitchen items including, pulses, milk, ghee/cooking oil, milk, flour, vegetables and fruits increased. They attributed the recent price hike to the increase in petrol product prices and short supply. Meanwhile a slight decline was observed in poultry products and egg prices.

A sharp increase was registered in the entire range of pulses as maash was available at Rs 145 per kg last month, which currently is being sold at Rs 160 per kg, moong at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 100 per kg, masoor at Rs 125 against Rs 105 per kg, chana at Rs 100 against Rs 85 per kg and lobia at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 90 per kg last month. Due to high demand/prices some of the pulses were not available even at the utility stores during the month under review. However the retailers termed it an artificial shortage of some varieties of pulses to earn windfall profits.

Prices of ghee/cooking oil increased by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg/litre during the month and are being sold at Rs 170 to Rs 195 depending on different brands. Flour prices increased from Rs 580 to Rs 590 per 5 kg. Sugar prices remained un-changed during the month under review as compared to the preceding month. Open milk price increased by Rs 5 per kg, as it was sold at Rs 70 to Rs 80 in different markets against Rs 65 -70 last month. However no increase was noted in packed milk prices.

Prices of most of the vegetables increased during the month as compared to the corresponding month. Tomato price increased by Rs 15-20 per kg as it is being sold at Rs 60 against Rs 40-45 per kg last month. Shimla mirch was available at Rs 80 against Rs 60-70 per kg, potato at Rs 30 against Rs 25 per kg, arvi at Rs 50 against Rs 40, green chilies at Rs 120-130 per kg against Rs 120-125 per kg and cauliflower at Rs 40-45 against Rs 50 per kg last month as compared to the preceding month.

Some verities of rice also registered increase during the month as broken rice was available at Rs 60-70 against Rs 55 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 the month under review, a sharp increase was registered in most fruit prices. It was noted that apple was available at Rs 150-200 against Rs 120-170 per kg. Orange price increased from Rs 80-100 to Rs 100-120 per dozen. Similarly, banana was available at Rs 80-180 depending on quality. Guava price increased from Rs 50 to Rs 70 per kg.