ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items—particularly vegetables, wheat flour, and chicken—have shown a declining trend following a reduction in high-speed diesel (HSD) prices, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday. Traders said the full benefit of the reduction in diesel prices would be passed on to end consumers within the next couple of days. They noted that the immediate impact of the overnight cut in diesel prices is limited, especially on perishable items such as vegetables, eggs, and chicken, while the effect on non-perishable items is expected to become more visible within the next two days.
Chicken prices declined from Rs 16,600 to Rs 15,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market. In retail, chicken is being sold at Rs395–410 per kg, down from Rs430–450 per kg. Similarly, chicken meat prices decreased from Rs650–700 to Rs600–650 per kg, varying by area. In contrast, egg prices increased from Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,000 per carton (30 dozen) in the wholesale market. In retail, eggs are being sold at Rs250–260 per dozen, compared to Rs240–250 previously. Meat prices remained stable. Normal-quality mutton is available at Rs 2,600–2,700 per kg, while premium quality is priced at Rs 2,800–3,000 per kg. Boneless beef is being sold at Rs 1,500–1,650 per kg, and mixed beef at Rs 1,300–1,400 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also remained unchanged, ranging between Rs450 and Rs800 per kg.
The survey noted no change in sugar prices, which stood at Rs 7,100 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets, while retail prices ranged between Rs150 and Rs160 per kg.
Wheat flour prices declined from Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,650 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market. In retail, it is being sold at Rs 1,680–1,700 per bag, down from Rs 1,900–1,920. No changes were observed in the prices of roti, naan, and paratha, which are being sold at Rs25, Rs30, and Rs60, respectively. Prices of bakery and confectionery items also remained largely unchanged. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 (up from Rs140), small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210.
Ghee and cooking oil prices showed a mixed trend. B-grade ghee/oil remained stable at Rs 6,700 per carton (16 packs) in the wholesale market, while retail prices stood at around Rs430 per 900-gram pack. However, prices of premium brands, such as Dalda ghee, increased from Rs 2,820 to Rs 2,920 per 5kg tin, with retail prices rising to Rs 3,000 from Rs 2,900 per 5-litre bottle.
Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has set the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Rs304 per kilogram. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are selling it in the range of Rs425–450 per kg, significantly above the official rate. A domestic cylinder containing 15kg LPG is being sold at Rs 6,200 against the official price of Rs 4,560, reflecting overcharging of Rs121–145 per kg and Rs 2,140 per cylinder. Marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are reportedly overcharging by Rs75–100 per kg. OGRA and other relevant authorities—including local administrations such as commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and tehsildars, along with representatives of traders, farmers, and retailers—have failed to effectively monitor the market and enforce official rates. As a result, consumers are compelled to pay higher prices.
Prices of various rice varieties remained stable. Premium basmati rice is available at Rs 13,000 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs380 per kg. Normal-quality basmati is priced at Rs 11,500 per 40kg bag (Rs340 per kg retail), while good-quality broken basmati is available at Rs 8,700 per 40kg bag (Rs260 per kg retail). Lower-grade basmati is priced between Rs 6,500 and Rs 7,000 per 40kg bag, with retail prices ranging from Rs160 to Rs210 per kg.
Tea prices also remained stable. Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs 2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea is priced at Rs 1,700 per kg. Prices of turmeric and red chilli powder showed no change: turmeric is available at Rs650 per kg in the wholesale market and Rs850–950 per kg in retail, while red chilli powder is priced at Rs700 per kg wholesale and Rs850–950 per kg retail. Prices of cooked food items remained unchanged. A cooked dal or vegetable plate at an average hotel costs Rs320, a beef plate Rs550, a chicken plate Rs500, and a mutton plate Rs750. Roti and naan are being sold at Rs25 and Rs30, respectively, while a cup of tea is priced between Rs70 and Rs100.
Prices of branded spices such as Shan and National also remained stable at around Rs150 per 39-gram pack.
According to traders, prices of various pulses witnessed a slight decline. Maash pulse is available at Rs 14,500 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market, down from Rs 14,700, and is being sold at Rs450–500 per kg in retail. Gram pulse decreased to Rs 9,200 from Rs 9,500 per 40kg, with retail prices at Rs250–260 per kg. Best-quality whole gram declined to Rs 10,000 from Rs 10,500 per 40kg, retailing at Rs270–290 per kg, while normal gram pulse is sold at around Rs270 per kg. Prices of bean lentils fell from Rs 16,000–19,000 to Rs 15,600–18,600 per 40kg bag, with retail rates ranging between Rs440 and Rs560 per kg. Moong pulse declined to Rs 12,700 from Rs 13,000 per 40kg, retailing at around Rs350 per kg. Masoor pulse dropped to Rs 9,200 from Rs 9,500 per 40kg, with retail prices at around Rs260 per kg.
Prices of packed milk brands such as Milk Pak, Olpers, and others witnessed a slight increase. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs 4,200, up from Rs 4,150, while in retail; a one-litre pack is being sold at Rs370. The price of a carton of 250ml packed milk increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,550, with retail prices at around Rs100 per 250ml pack. Fresh milk prices in some parts of the twin cities are being sold at Rs250 per litre, while in other areas they remain at Rs240 per litre. Yogurt prices remained stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in powdered milk prices. A 400-gram pack of Nido is available at Rs 1100; down from Rs 1,350, while a 200-gram pack is priced at Rs750.
Prices of bathing soaps remained stable. Safeguard is available at Rs165 per bar, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive, and other brands are priced at around Rs180 per bar. Detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite, and Express Power, also remained stable at around Rs580 per kg pack.
Prices of soft drinks such as Pepsi, Coke, Miranda, and others remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
Vegetable prices showed a mixed trend, though overall they reflected a declining pattern. Potato prices increased in the wholesale market from Rs 1,200–1,300 to Rs 1,300–1,700 per quintal. In retail, potatoes are being sold at Rs45–65 per kg, compared to the official price of Rs22–32 per kg. Onion prices declined in the wholesale market from Rs 5,000–7,000 to Rs 3,500–6,000 per quintal; in retail, onions are sold at Rs80–100 per kg, compared to Rs70–90 previously, while the official price is Rs48–77 per kg. Tomato prices decreased from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,120 per 15kg basket, with retail prices at Rs90–100 per kg, down from Rs100–140, against the official rate of Rs61–89 per kg. Ginger prices increased from Rs 1,150 to Rs 1,300 per 5kg in the wholesale market, with retail rates at Rs400–450 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs327–375 per kg. Garlic prices showed a mixed trend. Local garlic declined from Rs650 to Rs550 per 5kg in wholesale, but is still being sold at Rs200–220 per kg in retail, compared to Rs230–250 previously, against the official rate of Rs132–169 per kg. Quetta garlic dropped from Rs 1,000 to Rs750 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs350–400 per kg, down from Rs400–450, against the official rate of Rs248–327 per kg. China garlic increased from Rs 3,100 to Rs 3,200 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices at Rs800–850 per kg, while the official rate is Rs690–739 per kg. However, most vendors are reportedly selling local garlic as China garlic to maximize profits. Capsicum prices declined from Rs230 to Rs200 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices at Rs75–100 per kg, down from Rs90–110, against the official rate of Rs61–67 per kg. Pumpkin prices also declined from Rs170–400 to Rs170–300 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail rates at Rs60–120 per kg, compared to Rs60–150 previously, while the official rate is Rs50–97 per kg. Tinda prices increased from Rs400–550 to Rs450–650 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs130–220 per kg, compared to Rs130–200, against the official rate of Rs100–182 per kg. Eggplant prices declined from Rs250 to Rs200 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail rates at Rs70–80 per kg, down from Rs80–100, while the official price is Rs55–61 per kg. Cauliflower prices increased from Rs300 to Rs430 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices at Rs120–150 per kg, up from Rs80–100, against the official rate of Rs97–109 per kg. Turnip prices decreased from Rs150 to Rs120 per 5kg, with retail rates at Rs50–60 per kg, against the official rate of Rs43–48 per kg. Cabbage prices remained stable at Rs240 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices at Rs75–90 per kg, against the official rate of Rs61–73 per kg. Fresh beans are stable at Rs400 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs120–150 per kg, while the official rate is Rs97–109 per kg. Peas prices increased from Rs400 to Rs500 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail rates at Rs130–150 per kg, up from Rs110–120, against the official rate of Rs97–109 per kg. Okra prices declined from Rs850 to Rs650 per 5kg in the wholesale, with retail prices at Rs200–230 per kg, down from Rs250–270, against the official rate of Rs157–194 per kg. Carrot prices increased from Rs300 to Rs375 per 5kg in the wholesale, with retail rates at Rs100–120 per kg, up from Rs75–90, while the official price is Rs85–97 per kg. Bitter gourd prices declined from Rs650 to Rs600 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices at Rs150–170 per kg, down from Rs180–200, against the official rate of Rs135–150 per kg.
The official price list is issued after close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, allowing a profit margin of Rs10–20 per kg for sellers in wholesale markets, Rs15–30 per kg in most parts of the capital, and Rs20–40 per kg in posh areas. However, vendors, pushcart operators, and shopkeepers are largely not adhering to the official price list.
Overall, fruit prices showed a declining trend. Banana prices decreased from Rs120–250 to Rs110–230 per dozen. Prices of various apple varieties declined from Rs230–500 to Rs200–470 per kg, with white apples available at Rs200 per kg (the cheapest) and Iranian Kalakulu apples at Rs470 per kg (the most expensive). Guava prices remained stable at Rs120–180 per kg. Orange prices ranged between Rs130 and Rs500 per dozen, compared to Rs120–400 previously. Grapes were available at Rs700–900 per kg, while pomegranate prices ranged between Rs600 and Rs800 per kg. Strawberry prices declined to Rs175–225 per kg from Rs200–300. Melon prices dropped to Rs70–120 per kg from Rs120–200, while various types of watermelon were available at Rs60–100 per kg, down from Rs80–130. Berries were being sold in the range of Rs100–130 per kg.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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