Prices of eatables register steep increase

ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items, especially pulses including Maash, Moong, Masoor, Chana and Lobia along with fruits, sugar, milk and vegetables have registered a steep increase during the current week as compared to last week, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.

It was noted that the prices of above mentioned pulses have registered an increase of Rs 15 to Rs 40 per kg. Maash was available at Rs 140 per kg last week which currently is being sold at Rs 155 per kg, Moong is being sold at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 80 per kg, Masoor is being sold at Rs 120 against Rs 90 per kg, Chana is being sold at Rs 100 against Rs 70 per kg and Lobia at Rs 110 per kg against Rs 90 per kg. The survey revealed that the price of Maash increased by Rs 15 per kg, Moong Rs 40 per kg, Masoor by Rs 30 per kg, Chana by Rs 30 per kg and Lobia Rs 20 per kg in a week.

Tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and lemon are being sold at Rs 40 per kg, Rs 35 per kg, Rs 160 per kg, Rs 160 per kg and Rs 100 per kg respectively, which last week were being sold at Rs 35 per kg, Rs 30 per kg, Rs 120 per kg, Rs 120 per kg and Rs 80 per kg, respectively.

During the week under review the price of cauliflower increased by Rs 10 per kg, which is available at Rs 45 per kg against Rs 35 per kg last week; potato price increased by Rs 4 per kg and is being sold at Rs 24 per kg against Rs 20 per kg and cabbage price registered an increase of Rs 5 per kg, which is available at Rs 35 per kg against Rs 30 per kg last week.

Traders at Rawalpindi/Islamabad wholesale markets talking to this scribe said that the prices of all the pulses and vegetables increased following the increase in petrol price. They said that supplier have informed them that within next few days price of (Nido) formula milk would increase by Rs 50 per 500 gram pack and Nestle company has already increased the price of Lactogen milk by Rs 30 per 400 gram.

The price of sugar is also following increasing trend, as from last few weeks its price increased by Rs 10 per kg. Due to rift between the transporters and ghee makers the prices of cooking oil/ghee are also witnessing an increasing trend, which within last two weeks registered an increase of Rs 10 per kg. A few weeks back ginger, garlic and lemon prices had come down, but this week ginger price registered an increase of Rs 40 per, garlic Rs 40 and lemon Rs 20 per kg.

Peas are being sold at Rs 80 per kg, cucumber at Rs 40 per kg, okra at Rs 80 per kg, Kareela at Rs 70 per kg and Shimla Mirch at Rs 60 per kg.

However, the prices of live chicken and chicken meat have registered a decrease of Rs 20 per kg and Rs 30 per kg. Last week live chicken was available at Rs 128 per kg, and chicken meat at Rs 210 per kg, which this week is being sold at Rs 110 per kg and Rs 190 per kg.

The survey further noted that prices of most of the fruits remained on the high side without significant change during the week under review as compared to the previous week.

Apples are being sold at Rs 150-200 per kg, banana at Rs 100-180 per dozen, pomegranate Rs 150 per kg guava at Rs 60 per kg and orange at Rs 60 per dozen.