Prices of most essential kitchen items soar

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: Most of essential kitchen items prices increased during the week past as compared to the preceding week with the exception of a slight decline in vegetables, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday.

Survey revealed that ghee/cooking oil, pulses, fruits, rice, yogurt and flour prices increased during the last week. However a slight decline was observed in vegetables, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices. No change was observed in sugar price.

Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Rawalpindi/Islamabad said that decline in vegetables' prices was observed due to increased supply as vegetables from Sindh and Punjab arrived in the market. However other food prices increased due to unprecedented increase in petroleum products, electricity, gas and other raw materials prices.

People from different walks of life held government, hoarders and profiteers responsible for the current wave of inflation. They maintained that on one-side government increases prices of petroleum and products, electricity, gas and other raw materials frequently while on the other hand there is no check and balance on the hoarders.

Price of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) decreased by Rs 15 per kg during last one week. Open milk and yogurt prices increased each by Rs 5 per kg.

Survey revealed that prices of most of the vegetables witnessed a downward trend during the last week. Tomato was available at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 40, tinda at Rs 35 per kg against Rs 50, kareela at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 60 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 80 and chili at 100 per kg against Rs 120 per kg. However potato price increased from Rs 25 to Rs 35 per kg, shimla mirch at Rs 60 per kg, arvi at Rs 50, cucumber at Rs 40 per kg and okra was available at Rs 100-150 per kg.

Ghee/cooking oil prices increased during the last week as compared to the preceding week.

Different brands prices increased by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg/litrer. Cooking oil/ghee was available at Rs 185 to Rs 200 per kg/liter on different brands as compared to Rs 175 to Rs 190 per kg/liter.

Prices of entire range of pulses remained on high side during the week past as mash was available at Rs 155-160 per kg against Rs 150, moong at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 110, masoor at Rs 125 per kg against Rs 120, channa at Rs 100 against Rs 95 and lobia at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 95 per kg.

Of the rice varieties, basmati-386 prices increased by Rs 5, irri-6 increased by Rs 3 and basmati broken by Rs 2 per kg during the week past as compared to the preceding week.

No significant change was observed in price of fruits, which remained on high side. Dark red  and golden apple prices increased by Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg, banana by Rs 20 per dozen, kinnow by Rs 25 per dozen, strawberry by Rs 10 while melon prices decreased by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg and guava by Rs 10 per kg.