Prices of kitchen items in Islamabad show declining trend

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items, especially vegetables and seasonal fruits, witnessed a declining trend during the past week compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed on Saturday.

The survey observed a reduction in chicken prices, which declined from Rs 14,400 to Rs 13,200 per 40kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, live chicken is being sold at Rs355-370 per kg against Rs385-400 per kg last week, while chicken meat prices dropped from Rs570-620 to Rs530-580 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices also declined from Rs 6,200 to Rs 6,000 per carton containing 30 dozen in the wholesale market, while in retail markets eggs are being sold in the range of Rs230-240 per dozen.

Meat prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton available in the range of Rs 2,700-2,800 per kg and premium quality mutton in the range of Rs 3,000-3,200 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef is being sold at Rs1,700 per kg, while mixed beef is available at Rs1,500 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also remained stable, with different types of fish available in the range of Rs550-1,000 per kg.

Sugar prices remained stable at Rs 7,000 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets, while in retail markets sugar is being sold in the range of Rs150-160 per kg.

Wheat flour prices increased from Rs 1,720 to Rs 1,820 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail markets flour is being sold at Rs 1,850-1,870 per 15kg bag against Rs 1,750-1,780 last week. No changes were witnessed in the prices of roti, naan and paratha, as roti is being sold at Rs25, naan at Rs30 and paratha at Rs60. Similarly, no changes were observed in the prices of bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 against Rs140 last week, small-sized bread at Rs110 and family-sized bread at Rs210.Prices of cooked food items also remained stable, as a cooked dal/vegetable plate at an ordinary hotel is available at Rs320, a cooked beef plate at Rs550, a cooked chicken plate at Rs500 and cooked mutton at Rs750. Naan and roti are being sold at Rs30 and Rs25, respectively, while a cup of tea is available in the range of Rs70-100.

No changes were witnessed in the prices of branded spices, including Shan and National, which are available at around Rs150 per 39-gram pack.

Ghee and cooking oil prices also remained stable. B-grade ghee/oil is available at Rs 6,700 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack. Prices of premium cooking oil and ghee brands, including Dalda ghee, also remained unchanged at Rs 2,850 per 5kg tin in wholesale markets, while in retail markets a 5-litre bottle is being sold at Rs 3,000.

Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Rs303 per kg. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are selling LPG in the range of Rs425-450 per kg against the official rate, while a domestic cylinder containing 15kg LPG is being sold at Rs 6,600 against the official price of Rs 4,560, reflecting overcharging of Rs121-145 per kg and around Rs2,040 per domestic cylinder. Marketing companies, distributors and retailers are overcharging consumers by Rs75-100 per kg, as OGRA and other relevant authorities — including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers and retailers — have failed to effectively monitor market conditions and enforce official rates. As a result, consumers are being compelled to pay inflated prices.

The prices of various rice varieties remained stable during the week. Premium-quality basmati rice is available at Rs 13,000 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market and is being sold at Rs380 per kg in retail markets. Normal-quality basmati rice is available at Rs 11,500 per 40kg bag and is being sold at Rs340 per kg in retail markets. Good-quality broken basmati rice is available at Rs 8,700 per 40kg bag, while in retail markets it is being sold at Rs260 per kg. Meanwhile, ordinary rice varieties are available in the range of Rs 6,500-7,000 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market and are being sold at Rs160-210 per kg in retail markets.

Tea prices remained stable, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs 2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea is available at Rs 1,700 per kg. Turmeric powder prices in the wholesale market declined from Rs650 to Rs600 per kg, while retailers are selling it in the range of Rs800-850 per kg against Rs850-950 last week. Similarly, red chilli powder prices declined from Rs700 to Rs600 per kg in the wholesale market while retailers are selling it at Rs800-850 per kg against Rs850-950 per kg last week.

Pulse prices witnessed a slight reduction. Maash pulse in the wholesale market is available at Rs 14,000 against Rs 14,500 per 40kg bag, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs440-490 against Rs450-500 per kg last week. Gram pulse prices declined from Rs 9,200 to Rs 9,000 per 40kg bag and are being sold at Rs250-260 per kg in retail markets. Prices of premium-quality whole gram declined from Rs 10,000 to Rs 9,600 per 40kg bag, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs270-290 per kg. Ordinary gram pulse is being sold at Rs250 against Rs270 per kg last week. Various varieties of bean lentils are available in the range of Rs 15,200-18,100 against Rs 15,600-18,600 per 40kg bag, while in retail markets they are being sold at Rs430-550 against Rs440-560 per kg. Moong pulse prices declined from Rs 12,700 to Rs 12,000 per 40kg bag and are available at Rs330 against Rs350 per kg in retail markets. Masoor pulse prices also declined from Rs 9,200 to Rs 9,000 per 40kg bag and are being sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets.

Prices of packed milk brands, including Milk Pak and Olpers, witnessed no major change, as a carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs 4,200, while in retail markets a one-litre pack is being sold at Rs370. The price of a carton containing 250ml packed milk packs declined from Rs 2,550 to Rs2,500, while in retail markets a 250ml pack is being sold at Rs100. Fresh milk prices in some areas of the twin cities are being charged at Rs250 per litre, while in other areas milk is still being sold at Rs240 per litre. Yogurt prices remained stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido powdered milk is available at Rs 1,100 against Rs 1,350 previously, while a 200-gram pack is being sold at Rs750.

Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable, with Safeguard family-size soap available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands are available at around Rs180 per pack. Similarly, detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf Excel, Brite and Express Power, remained stable at around Rs580 per kg pack. Prices of various soft drink brands, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Mirinda, also remained stable, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.

Overall vegetable prices witnessed a declining trend during the week. Potato prices remained stable at Rs 1,000-1,300 per quintal in the wholesale market, while retailers are selling potatoes in the range of Rs40-50 per kg against the officially fixed price of Rs21-28 per kg. Onion prices in both wholesale and retail markets also remained stable. In the wholesale market, onions were being sold at Rs 3,300-5,800 per quintal, while in retail markets they are available in the range of Rs65-80 per kg against the officially fixed rate of Rs43-70 per kg. Tomato prices also remained stable at Rs450 per 15kg basket in the wholesale market, while in retail markets tomatoes are being sold in the range of Rs40-60 per kg against Rs50-70 per kg last week.

The official price is fixed at Rs24-56 per kg. Ginger prices declined from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,200 per 5kg in the wholesale market; while in retail markets ginger is being sold in the range of Rs400-450 per kg against the officially fixed rate of Rs303-349 per kg. Garlic prices also witnessed a reduction. Local garlic is available at Rs450 against Rs500 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is still being sold at Rs150-180 against Rs150-200 per kg last week. The officially fixed price is Rs132-157 per kg. Quetta garlic prices remained stable at Rs 1,150 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold at Rs350-400 per kg against the official rate of Rs278-315 per kg. China garlic prices declined from Rs 2,550 to Rs 1,700 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs550-600 against Rs650-750 per kg last week. The officially fixed rate is Rs387-449 per kg. However, a majority of vendors are allegedly selling local garlic as China garlic to maximise profits.

Capsicum prices increased from Rs200 to Rs250 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs80-90 per kg, compared with Rs70-80 per kg last week, against the officially fixed price of Rs67-77 per kg. Prices of various varieties of pumpkin remained unchanged at Rs200-350 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets they are being sold in the range of Rs65-100 per kg, against the official price of Rs52-85 per kg. Tinda prices declined from Rs350-850 to Rs300-800 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets they are being sold in the range of Rs90-250 per kg, against Rs140-260 per kg last week. The official rate is Rs82-218 per kg. Eggplant prices increased from Rs150 to Rs230 per 5kg, while in retail markets they are being sold in the range of Rs75-85 per kg against Rs60-70 per kg last week, with an official price of Rs61-64 per kg. Cauliflower prices remained stable at Rs400 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs110-130 per kg against the official price of Rs97-109 per kg. Turnip prices increased from Rs170 to Rs220 per 5kg, while in retail markets they are being sold at Rs70-80 per kg against Rs55-60 per kg last week.

The official rate is Rs61-67 per kg. Cabbage prices declined from Rs220 to Rs180 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold at Rs65-75 per kg against the official rate of Rs55-61 per kg. Fresh bean prices increased from Rs400 to Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets they are being sold in the range of Rs130-160 per kg against Rs120-150 per kg last week. The official rate is Rs109-121 per kg. Pea prices remained unchanged at Rs850 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets they are being sold in the range of Rs200-220 per kg against the official rate of Rs169-194 per kg. Okra prices remained unchanged at Rs350 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs110-140 per kg against the official rate of Rs85-97 per kg.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026