Prices of essential kitchen items increase

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items witnessed an increase during the last week compared to the previous week, revealed a survey carried out by Business Recorder.

The survey observed a significant increase in the price of wheat flour, which rose from Rs1,720 to Rs1,875 per 15kg bag. In retail, the same bag is being sold at Rs1,920 against the previous Rs1,780. However, tandoor owners have kept the prices of roti, naan, and paratha unchanged, with roti being sold at Rs20, naan at Rs23–25, and paratha at Rs60. No fluctuation was noted in bakery and confectionery items, as normal sized bread remains available at Rs140 and small-sized bread at Rs100–110.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices were officially increased from Rs201 to Rs210 per kg, but in retail the 15kg domestic cylinder is being sold at Rs4,700 against the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) set price of Rs3,015, marking a record-high overcharge of Rs1,685 per cylinder.

The OGRA, on December 1, 2025, notified an increase of Rs9 per kg in LPG prices for December 2025, raising the cost of a 15kg domestic cylinder by Rs135 compared to November. However, marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are collectively overcharging by Rs1,685 per cylinder and Rs140–160 per kg. The OGRA and other concerned authorities including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and traders are failing to monitor and enforce official rates, leaving consumers compelled to pay inflated prices.

Prices of various rice varieties remained stable. Best-quality basmati is available in the wholesale market at Rs11,000 per 40kg, retailing at Rs300 per kg; normal quality basmati at Rs10,000 per 40kg, retailing at Rs270 per kg; and good quality broken basmati at Rs7,500 per 40kg, retailing at Rs200 per kg. Normal quality basmati is available at Rs5,000–6,000 per 40kg, retailing at Rs130–170 per kg.

Tea prices remained unchanged, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs2,200 per 900g pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg. In the wholesale market, turmeric powder increased from Rs700 to Rs800 per kg, retailing at Rs1,000 per kg; red chilli powder rose from Rs550 to Rs600 per kg, retailing at Rs850 against the previous Rs800.

The prices of cooked food items remained stable: a cooked dal/vegetable plate at a normal hotel is available at Rs320, cooked beef at Rs550, cooked chicken at Rs500, cooked mutton at Rs750, naan/roti at Rs25–30, and tea at Rs70–100 per cup. Sugar prices decreased from Rs8,750 to Rs8,350 per 50kg bag, retailing at Rs180–200 per kg.

Chicken prices increased from Rs12,000 to Rs12,600 per 40kg in the wholesale market, retailing at Rs345–360 per kg against the previous Rs330–345. Chicken meat is available at Rs570–650 per kg depending on locality. Egg prices increased in the wholesale market from Rs9,100 to Rs10,200 per 30-dozen carton, while retailers are selling eggs at Rs350–370 per dozen. Mutton and beef prices remained stable: normal-quality mutton at Rs2,400 per kg and premium-quality at Rs2,700–2,800 per kg; boneless beef at Rs1,500 per kg, and mixed beef at Rs1,300 per kg. Various fish varieties remain available at Rs600–1,000 per kg.

Ghee and cooking oil witnessed an increase. B-grade ghee/oil rose from Rs6,000 to Rs6,250 per carton of 16 packs, retailing at Rs410 per 900g pack against the previous Rs400. Dalda ghee increased from Rs2,800 to Rs2,845 per 5kg tin, retailing at the same price per 5-litre bottle. Prices of branded spices such as Shan and National remained stable at Rs150 per 39g pack and Rs70 per sachet.

Pulse prices remained stable. Maash pulse is available in wholesale at Rs13,200 per 40kg (Rs330 per kg), retailing at Rs400–460 per kg; gram pulse at Rs8,400 per 40kg (Rs210 per kg), retailing at Rs270 per kg; whole gram at Rs9,500 per 40kg, retailing at Rs280–300 per kg, and normal gram at Rs260 per kg. Various bean varieties are priced at Rs400–500 per kg; moong at Rs400 per kg; and masoor at Rs260 per kg.

Packed milk brands MilkPak, Olper’s, and others remain stable at Rs3,800–4,000 per carton, with 250ml retail packs at Rs100 and 1-litre packs at Rs360. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs240–250 per litre, while yogurt remains stable at Rs250 per kg. Powdered milk prices also remained unchanged, with 400-g Nido at Rs1,350 and 200g at Rs750. Bathing soaps’ prices remained stable, with family-size Safeguard available at Rs160 and Dettol, Lux, and Palmolive at Rs180 per pack. Detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite, and Express Power, increased from Rs530 to Rs590 per kg pack.

Cold drink prices also remained stable, with family size Pepsi, Coke, and Miranda bottles available at Rs230.

Overall vegetable prices showed a declining trend. Potato prices dropped from Rs3,000–4,500 to Rs2,750–4,300 per quintal, retailing at Rs70–100 per kg against the government rate of Rs40–62. Onion prices in the wholesale market remained stable at Rs5,200–7,700 per quintal, retailing at Rs100–150 per kg against the official rate of Rs72–99. Tomato prices fell from Rs1,100 to Rs850 per 15kg basket, but are still retailing at Rs100–150 per kg against the official rate of Rs48–65.

Ginger remained stable at Rs1,250–1,300 per 5kg, retailing at Rs400–450 per kg against the official rate of Rs280. Local garlic remains at Rs750 per 5kg, retailing at Rs200–230 per kg; Quetta garlic at Rs1,200 per 5kg, retailing at Rs265–290; and Chinese garlic at Rs1,700 per 5kg, retailing at Rs400–425 per kg. Vendors are reportedly mislabelling local garlic as Chinese or Quetta to increase profit margins.

Capsicum dropped from Rs750 to Rs600 per 5kg, retailing at Rs175–200 per kg against the previous Rs240–275, while the official rate is Rs132–145. Pumpkin prices remained stable at Rs175–300 per 5kg, retailing at Rs65–110 per kg against the official rate of Rs44–88. Tinda fell from Rs400–650 to Rs350–500 per 5kg, retailing at Rs120–175 per kg against the official Rs90–132. Eggplant remained stable at Rs125 per 5kg, retailing at Rs60–75 per kg against the official Rs40–44. Cauliflower increased from Rs120 to Rs145 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50–70 per kg against the official Rs39–44. Cabbage remained stable at Rs450 per 5kg, retailing at Rs150–170 against the official Rs110–120. Beans remained at Rs450 per 5kg, retailing at Rs150–200 against the official Rs110–120. Peas fell from Rs600 to Rs500 per 5kg, retailing at Rs150–200 against Rs175–225, while the official rate is Rs120–130.

The official price list is prepared after consultation with relevant stakeholders and includes a profit margin of Rs10 per kg near wholesale markets, Rs15–25 per kg in most city areas, and Rs20–40 per kg in upscale areas. However, no vendor, pushcart holder, or shopkeeper is following the official list.

Fruit prices also showed a decline: bananas are available at Rs80–150 per dozen; apples at Rs120–450 per kg (with white apples cheapest at Rs120 and Kalakilo most expensive at Rs450); guava at Rs100–150 per kg; oranges at Rs120–250 per dozen; grapes at Rs250–500 per kg; and pomegranates at Rs600–800 per kg.

Consumers have urged the authorities to either strictly enforce the official price list or discontinue the exercise altogether, as it currently offers no relief to the public.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025