Fruit prices go beyond common man's reach

Rates of fruits are much higher than preceding year and beyond the reach of common man, which caused slow trading activity in fruit and vegetable markets on Thursday and, on the other, the rates of all essential kitchen items remained stable in Akbari Mandi amidst fresh supply except eggs and chicken.
However, in fruit market, the fixed price of different varieties of mango at Rs 34 to 50 per kilogram but was sold at Rs 35 to 55 in local markets. The fixed rate of different quality banana was Rs 24 to 40 but it was selling between Rs 30 to 50 and fixed rates of lychee was Rs 44 to 64 per kilogram and was sold at Rs 55 to 80.
The ex-factory 100-kilogram sugar sack remained stable at Rs 2,660 per bag. However, the retail and wholesale price of sugar also remained stable at previous levels. The wholesale rate of 100-kilogram sugar bag was Rs 2,670 to 2,680. In retail markets, the retailers charged Rs 27 to 29 per kilogram for sugar in various parts of the city.
However, rates of onion and tomato decreased and eggs and chicken price rose by Re 1 and Rs 2 respectively and vendors were charging Rs 90 to 96 per kilogram for chicken. The eggs price was fixed at Rs 42 per dozen from Rs 40 a day earlier, but retailers were charging Rs 42 to 45 per dozen.
The market committee fixed price of good quality potato at Rs 12 to 17 per kilogram but the vendors were selling potato at Rs 13 to 20, onion price decreased by Re 1 and sold at Rs 8 to Rs 11 per kilogram in the wholesale markets. Vendors, however, charged Rs 10 to 12 per kilogram for onion. The rates of tomato were decreased by Rs 5 per kilogram, market committee fixed tomato price was Rs 19 to 26 per kilogram but vendors were charging Rs 22 to 30 per kilogram.
The price of A-category 16-kilogram ghee tin was Rs 1,410, B-category 16-kilogram ghee tin was sold at Rs 1,330 and C-category 16-kilogram ghee tin was available at Rs 1,290. The price of loose ghee was Rs 80 per kilogram and different brands ghee polybag rates were ranging from Rs 90 to 95 per kilogram. The retailers were charging Rs 80 to 85 per kilogram for loose ghee.
Different varieties of gram pulse were sold at Rs 32 to 35 per kilogram, while Masoor pulse was available at Rs 55 to 60 per kilogram and lentil pulse at Rs 72 to 75 per kilogram. The price of 20-kilogram flour bag ranged from Rs 270 to 275 per bag of different brands and the rates of 10-kilogram flour bags were from Rs 140 to 145 per bag of different brands.