ISLAMABAD: Successive increases in fuel prices have raised transportation costs across the board, resulting in a further increase in the prices of essential kitchen items, a Business Recorder survey conducted here on Saturday revealed.
According to traders and transporters, besides seasonal fluctuations in the prices of various household items, the continued increase in fuel prices following the Middle East crisis has pushed up transportation costs by 10 to 15 percent, which has also played a significant role in driving up the prices of essential commodities.
The survey observed that the wholesale price of chicken increased by Rs800 per 40kg, rising from Rs12,200 to Rs13,000 per 40kg. In the retail market, live chicken is being sold in the range of Rs345-360 per kg, compared with Rs330-345 per kg previously. Similarly, chicken meat prices increased from Rs450-470 per kg to Rs510-540 per kg, depending on the locality. Egg prices also registered an increase of Rs1,000 per carton, rising from Rs6,200 to Rs7,200 per carton (30 dozen) in the wholesale market. In the retail market, eggs are being sold in the range of Rs250-260 per dozen, compared with Rs230-245 per dozen previously.
Meat prices; however, remained stable. Normal-quality mutton is available in the range of Rs2,700-2,800 per kg, while premium-quality mutton is being sold at Rs3,000-3,200 per kg. Boneless beef is available at Rs1,700 per kg, while mixed beef is being sold at Rs1,500 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also remained stable, with fish available in the range of Rs550-1,000 per kg. Sugar prices remained stable at Rs6,900 per 50kg bag in the wholesale market. In the retail market, sugar is being sold at Rs150-160 per kg, against the official rate of Rs148 per kg.
The wholesale price of wheat flour increased from Rs1,835 to Rs1,900 per 15kg bag, while in the retail market it is being sold at Rs1,960-2,000 per 15kg bag, compared with Rs1,860-1,880 previously. Prices of roti, naan and paratha remained unchanged, with roti selling at Rs20, naan at Rs30, and paratha at Rs60. No changes were observed in the prices of bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150, up from Rs140, while small-sized bread is being sold at Rs110 and family-sized bread at Rs210.
Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A plate of cooked dal or vegetables at an ordinary hotel is available for Rs320, a beef plate for Rs550, a chicken plate for Rs500, and a mutton plate for Rs750. At some tea stalls, the price of a cup of tea has declined from Rs70 to Rs50; however, most restaurant operators continue to charge Rs70-100 per cup. No changes were observed in the prices of branded spices, which are currently being sold under special promotional schemes offered by manufacturers. Under these offers, the price of various 39-gram spice packs has been reduced by Rs20, from Rs150 to Rs130 per pack.
Ghee and cooking oil prices; however, witnessed an upward trend. The wholesale price of B-grade ghee/ cooking oil increased from Rs6,600 to Rs6,820 per carton (16 packs). In the retail market, a 900-gram pack is being sold at Rs440-450, compared with Rs430 previously. Similarly, the price of a 5kg tin of premium brands, including Dalda ghee, increased from Rs2,880 to Rs2,920, while a 5-litre bottle is being sold at around Rs3,000 in the retail market.
Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Rs241.43 per kg. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers continue to sell the commodity at significantly higher rates. In the hilly areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, LPG is being sold in the range of Rs500-600 per kg, while in cities such as Rawalpindi and Islamabad it is being sold at Rs380-400 per kg, well above the official rate.
A 15kg domestic LPG cylinder is being sold for Rs5,000-6,000 in the hilly areas, against the official price of Rs3,622, making it Rs1,378-2,378 more expensive than the notified rate. In urban areas, the same cylinder is being sold at around Rs5,000.
The situation reflects that LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are overcharging consumers, while OGRA and the relevant authorities—including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers and retailers—have failed to effectively monitor the market and enforce the official rates. As a result, consumers have been compelled to pay inflated prices over the past eight years.
Prices of various rice varieties witnessed a slight decline. The wholesale price of premium-quality basmati rice fell from Rs14,500 to Rs14,000 per 40kg bag, while its retail price declined from Rs420 to Rs400 per kg. The price of normal-quality basmati decreased from Rs12,400 to Rs12,000 per 40kg bag, with the retail price easing from Rs360 to Rs350 per kg. Similarly, good-quality broken basmati declined from Rs10,000 to Rs9,500 per 40kg bag, while the retail price fell from Rs280 to Rs270 per kg. The price of normal-quality broken basmati also dropped from Rs7,500-8,000 to Rs7,100-7,500 per 40kg bag, while in the retail market it is being sold in the range of Rs200-220 per kg.
Tea prices witnessed an increase, with a 900-gram pack of Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs2,000, while Islamabad Tea increased from Rs1,800 to Rs1,900 per kg. In contrast, the wholesale price of turmeric powder declined from Rs650 to Rs600 per kg, although retailers continue to sell it in the range of Rs800-1,000 per kg. Similarly, the wholesale price of red chilli powder decreased from Rs650 to Rs600 per kg, while retailers are selling it in the range of Rs800-1,000 per kg.
Pulse prices remained unchanged. Mash pulse is available in the wholesale market at Rs13,500 per 40kg, while in the retail market it is being sold in the range of Rs420-450 per kg. Gram pulse is available at Rs8,500 per 40kg in the wholesale market and Rs250-260 per kg in the retail market. Premium whole gram is priced at Rs9,200 per 40kg, while retail prices range from Rs270 to Rs290 per kg. Various varieties of bean lentils are available at Rs15,200-17,200 per 40kg, with retail prices ranging from Rs410 to Rs520 per kg. Moong pulse is available at Rs12,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market and Rs330 per kg in the retail market, while Masoor pulse is priced at Rs8,300 per 40kg wholesale and Rs260 per kg in the retail market.
Prices of packed milk brands, including Milk Pak, Olpers and others, remained unchanged. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs4,250, while a one-litre pack is being sold in the retail market at Rs380. Similarly, a carton of 250ml packs remained stable at Rs2,530, while each 250ml pack is being sold at Rs100 in the retail market.
Fresh milk prices across the twin cities remained stable at Rs260 per litre. However, in some upscale sectors, fresh milk is being sold at Rs280 per litre. Yogurt prices also remained unchanged at Rs280 per kg, although in posh localities it is being sold in the range of Rs280-300 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido is available at Rs1,100, while a 200-gram pack is being sold at Rs750.
Overall, bathing soap prices witnessed an upward trend. The price of a Safeguard family-size soap increased from Rs165 to Rs175 per bar, while rates of Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands increased from Rs150 to Rs160 per bar. However, detergent brands such as Ariel, Surf, Brite, Express Power and others remained stable at Rs600 per kg pack. Prices of various soft drink brands, including Pepsi, Coke, Mirinda and others, also remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle selling at Rs230.
The prices of vegetables also witnessed an upward trend. Potato prices increased slightly from Rs1,400-2,500 to Rs1,500-2,700 per quintal, while retailers are selling potatoes in the range of Rs50-60 per kg, against the official price of Rs24-39 per kg. Onion prices remained stable at Rs5,500-8,000 per quintal, while in the retail market onions are being sold in the range of Rs90-120 per kg, compared with the official rate of Rs73-109 per kg. Tomato prices increased from Rs2,500 to Rs3,100 per 15kg basket, while in the retail market tomatoes are being sold in the range of Rs230-300 per kg, compared with Rs200-250 per kg previously and well above the official rate of Rs194-261 per kg.
Ginger prices remained stable at Rs1,300 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, ginger is being sold in the range of Rs450-500 per kg, against the official rate of Rs363-399 per kg. Prices of various garlic varieties also increased, with wholesale prices rising to Rs500-1,350 per 5kg, compared with Rs450-1,300 previously. In the retail market, garlic is being sold at Rs175-500 per kg, against Rs150-500 per kg earlier, while the official rate is fixed at Rs145-363 per kg.
Capsicum prices increased from Rs900 to Rs1,250 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, capsicum is being sold in the range of Rs350-450 per kg, compared with Rs220-250 per kg previously, while the official rate is Rs303-327 per kg.
Prices of various pumpkin varieties increased from Rs270-425 to Rs350-525 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, pumpkins are being sold in the range of Rs120-180 per kg, compared with Rs80-130 per kg previously, while the official rate is Rs90-159 per kg.
Similarly, prices of various types of tinda increased from Rs380-1,000 to Rs600-1,200 per 5kg in the wholesale market. Retail prices rose to Rs170-330 per kg, compared with Rs100-280 per kg previously, while the official rate is Rs145-278 per kg.
Eggplant prices remained stable at Rs275 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, eggplant is being sold in the range of Rs80-90 per kg, against the official rate of Rs67-73 per kg.
Cauliflower prices also remained stable at Rs550 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, cauliflower is available in the range of Rs150-180 per kg, while the official rate is Rs121-133 per kg.
Turnip prices increased from Rs220 to Rs250 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, turnips are being sold at Rs80-90 per kg, compared with Rs70-75 per kg previously, while the official rate is Rs60-70 per kg. Cabbage prices increased from Rs250 to Rs425 per 5kg in the wholesale market. Retail prices rose to Rs110-130 per kg, compared with Rs80-100 per kg previously, while the official rate is Rs97-109 per kg.
Fresh bean prices remained stable at Rs500 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, fresh beans are being sold in the range of Rs130-160 per kg, while the official rate is Rs121-133 per kg. Pea prices increased from Rs830 to Rs1,200 per 5kg in the wholesale market. Retail prices rose to Rs300-350 per kg, compared with Rs210-250 per kg previously, while the official rate is Rs278-303 per kg. Okra prices increased from Rs400 to Rs500 per 5kg in the wholesale market.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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