Prices of most essential kitchen items increase

TAHIR AMIN  & WAQAR LILLAH

ISLAMABAD: Prices of a majority of essential kitchen items increased last week, against their rates last week, with the exception of a slight decline in prices of some vegetables and fruits, a survey conducted by Business Recorder showed here on Saturday.

Prices of petroleum products and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shot up substantially during the week because of which prices of most food and non-food items also increased. LPG prices were increased by Rs19 per kg during the past week. Moreover, the rate of CNG was also increased. Following the increase in fuel prices, transportation cost increased, which directly resulted in increase in the prices of daily use items.

Traders and wholesalers in various markets of twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad told Business Recorder that price of majority of essential kitchen items, including fruits, vegetables, flour, pulses, packed milk, rice and fuel increased last week against their rates during the preceding week. However, sugar and ghee/cocking oil prices remained unchanged in the period under review.

Flour prices increased by Rs3 per kg, whereas packed milk prices increased by Rs5 per liter in the same period.

During the survey, a mix trend was observed in vegetables prices, as prices of some of items increased, while others decreased or remained unchanged. Tomato was being sold at Rs60 against Rs80 per kg last week, onion at Rs60 against Rs50 per kg, potato was available at Rs45 per kg against Rs40 per kg, arvi at Rs60 per kg against Rs70 per kg, cucumber at Rs60 per kg, carrot at Rs60 against Rs50 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs50 per kg and Shimla Mirch at Rs100 against Rs120 per kg during last week, against the prices in the preceding week.

A slight increase was observed in fruits price: mango was available at Rs100-120 per kg against Rs60-100 week, banana at Rs200-240 per dozen against Rs180-230, guava at Rs60 per kg against Rs70 per kg, apple at Rs80-180 per kg, peach at Rs120-180 per kg and grapes at Rs200-280 per kg against Rs300-350 per kg last week.

Chicken was being sold at Rs140 per kilogramme, while chicken meat at Rs260 per kg last week against Rs150 and Rs280 per kg, respectively. Meat prices remained stable during last week, as mutton was available at Rs550 per kg, while beef at Rs360 per kg. Price of per dozen egg remained at Rs50 per dozen last week. 

Rice (kernel) was available at Rs125-130 per kg, while rice (broken) at Rs80-90 per kg. Prices of entire range of pulses remained on the high side last week, as maash was being sold at Rs160 per kg, moong at Rs150 per kg, lobia at Rs135 per kg, masoor at Rs125 per kg and white channa at Rs145 per kg in the period under review.