Prices of essential kitchen items remain stable

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items remained stable without registering significant change during the last week as compared to the preceding week, revealed a survey by Business Recorder here on Saturday.

Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Rawalpindi/Islamabad said that prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained unchanged last week and no significant decline or increase was observed in prices. However, vegetables and some fruits prices registered a slight decline. Traders attributed decline in vegetables and fruits price to more supply.

Tomato was available at Rs 20-25 against Rs 30 per kg, onion at Rs 30 against Rs 35 per kg, brinjal at Rs 25 against Rs 35-40 per kg, karela at Rs 50 against Rs 60 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 45 against Rs 50 per kg, Shimla Mirch at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 115 per kg, potato at Rs 35 per kg against Rs 40 per kg, Arvi at Rs 60 per kg without any change and Tinda at Rs 25 against Rs 35 per kg during the week under review as compared to the preceding week.

A slight decline was also observed in some fruits prices. Melon was available at Rs 30-35 per kg against Rs 40-50 and water million at Rs 25-35 per kg against Rs 40-45 per kg during the past week as compared to the preceding week. Dark red and golden apple was available at Rs 170 to Rs 220 per kg depending on quality, Indian banana at Rs 180 to Rs 200 and Pakistani banana at Rs 80 to Rs 100 per dozen without any significant change during the past week as compared to the preceding week.

Ghee/cooking oil and sugar prices remained unchanged last week as compared to the preceding week. Different brands of cooking oil/ghee were available at Rs 185 to Rs 200 per kg/litre. Similarly, sugar was available at Rs 56 per kg last week.

Prices of entire range of pulses remained on high side during the past week without significant change, as Mash was available at Rs 155-160 per kg, Moong at Rs 120 per kg, Masoor at Rs 125 per kg, Chana at Rs 100 and Lobia at Rs 100 per kg. Similarly, prices of different rice varieties; Basmati-386, Irri-6 and Basmati broken remained unchanged during the last week. No change was observed in spices prices.