The prices of cooking oil and ghee were increased further on the eve of Christmas by around Rs 10 per kg in the retail markets of Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Rahimyar Khan, Lodhran, Rajanpur and Muzaffargarh districts. According to market sources, the prices of 12 kg box of normal quality cooking oil went up to Rs 1,835 from Rs 1,810 in a single day when the same box was available for Rs 1,810 a couple of days back.
Market sources said the prices of 16 kg tin of cooking oil and ghee surged to Rs 2,500, from Rs 2,380, showing a rise of Rs 120, while branded cooking oil and ghee in one-kg packing had been increased by over Rs 10. Retailers said that though the rates had been raised on the excuse of escalation in the palm oil prices in the global market, but most of the manufacturers have around two months' stock at their depots. So their plea is totally wrong. It is to be noted that the prices of crude palm oil have jumped to $1,182 per ton in the international market.
Average quality ghee and cooking oil like Punjab and Shan brands is presently available for Rs 155-160 per kg while the high standard ghee and cooking oil rate like that of Dalda and Habib are being sold for Rs 172-168 per kg. Market sources said that high quality branded ghee in one-kg packing was being sold at less than Rs 160 just one week back. Muhammad Farid, a retailer in Gulgasht area, said that the cooking oil in loose packing, which was available earlier in the market at Rs 142, is now being sold for Rs 148-155 per kg in retail market.
He said that cooking oil prices were increased due to rise in palm oil prices in the international market. He said that the prices of several other kitchen items had also been raised on the eve of Christmas though there was no extra sale on this occasion at local level.
Consumers said that the city district government seemed to have no interest in the affairs of the public who face the burden of the ever-soaring inflation. They said that they were frustrated with the performance of their elected representatives who never care for them. Consumers were of the view that the increase would squeeze further purchasing power of the masses while inflation and unemployment have already reached its peak in the country.
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