Prices of eatables increase substantially

The prices of most of the essential kitchen items including ghee/cooking oil, flour, pulses and fruits witnessed substantial increase during the week under review, as compared to the preceding week, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.
Traders at Rawalpindi/ Islamabad wholesale markets attributed the recent price hike to the increase in petrol products prices and short supply. However, a slight decline was also observed in few kitchen items including tomato, cauliflower, ginger and garlic.
A sharp increase was registered in the entire range of pulses as Maash was available at Rs 155 per kg last week, which currently is being sold at Rs 160 per kg, Moong is being sold at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 100 per kg last week, Masoor is being sold at Rs 125 against Rs 105 per kg, Chana is being sold at Rs 100 against Rs 85 per kg and Lobia at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 90 per kg last week.
Similarly, prices of ghee/cooking oil increased by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg/liter during last few days. Flour prices increased from Rs 580 to Rs 590 per 5 kg. Sugar prices remained un-changed during the week past as compared to the preceding week. Open milk price increased by Rs 5 per kg, as it was sold at Rs 70 to Rs 80 in different markets against Rs 65 - 70 last week. However, no increase was noted in the packed milk. A sharp increase was registered in all fruits prices. It was noted that apple was available at Rs 150-170 against Rs 120-150 per kg. Orange prices increased from Rs 80-100 to Rs 100-120 per dozen. Similarly, banana was available at Rs 100 against Rs 70-80 per dozen depending on quality. Guava price increased from Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg.
Meanwhile, tomato prices decreased from Rs 45 to Rs 40 per kg, while cauliflower prices from Rs 55 to Rs 50 per kg. However, onion prices remained firm at Rs 50 per kg. A slight increase of Rs 5 per 5 kg was noted in potato prices. Talking to Business Recorder people from different walks of life blamed the government for unprecedented increase in kitchen items.