ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items witnessed a mixed trend during the last week compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday revealed.
The survey observed a significant reduction of Rs2,000 per 40kg in chicken prices, which declined from Rs12,200 to Rs10,200 per 40kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, chicken is being sold at Rs300-320 per kg against Rs345-360 per kg a week earlier. Similarly, chicken meat prices decreased from Rs530-580 to Rs450-500 per kg, varying from area to area.
Egg prices also declined from Rs6,500 to Rs6,000 per carton containing 30 dozen eggs in the wholesale market, while in retail markets eggs are being sold in the range of Rs240-250 per dozen.
Meat prices remained stable. Normal-quality mutton is available in the range of Rs2,700-2,800 per kg, while premium-quality mutton is being sold at Rs3,000-3,200 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef is available at Rs1,700 per kg and mixed beef at Rs1,500 per kg.
Prices of various fish varieties also remained stable, with different species available in the range of Rs550-1,000 per kg.
Sugar prices remained unchanged at Rs7,000 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets, while in retail markets it is being sold in the range of Rs150-160 per kg.
Wheat flour prices increased from Rs1,850 to Rs1,900 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market. In retail markets, flour is being sold at Rs1,930-1,950 per 15kg bag against Rs1,880-1,900 per bag a week earlier.
Prices of roti, naan, and paratha remained stable, with roti being sold at Rs20, naan at Rs30, and paratha at Rs60. No changes were observed in the prices of bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 compared to Rs140 previously, while small-sized bread is being sold at Rs110 and family-sized bread at Rs210.
Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A plate of cooked dal or vegetables at a standard hotel is available at Rs320, a cooked beef plate at Rs550, a cooked chicken plate at Rs500, and a cooked mutton plate at Rs750.
Meanwhile, the price of a cup of tea at some tea stalls has declined from Rs70 to Rs50. However, the majority of restaurant operators continue to sell tea in the range of Rs70-100 per cup.
Suppliers of branded spices, including Shan, National, and others, have reduced prices under a promotional scheme, with the price of a 39-gram pack falling from Rs150 to Rs130.
Ghee and cooking oil prices witnessed a slight reduction during the week. The price of B-grade ghee/cooking oil declined from Rs6,700 to Rs6,600 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market. However, in the retail market, it is still being sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack. Similarly, the price of premium cooking oil and ghee brands, such as Dalda, decreased from Rs2,900 to Rs2,880 per 5kg tin, while in retail markets these products are being sold at around Rs3,000 per 5-litre bottle.
Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) increased the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) by Rs5.76 per kg, raising it from Rs303 to Rs308.76 per kg. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are selling LPG in the range of Rs425-450 per kg, significantly above the official rate. Similarly, the price of a domestic cylinder containing 15kg of LPG increased from Rs6,400 to Rs6,600, which remains Rs1,968 higher than the official rate of Rs4,631.
The situation indicates that LPG marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are overcharging consumers by Rs118-142 per kg and Rs1,968 per 15kg domestic cylinder. Meanwhile, 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 the market and enforce official rates. As a result, consumers have continued to pay inflated prices over the past eight years.
Prices of various rice varieties remained stable. Premium-quality basmati rice is available at Rs13,000 per 40kg bag and is being sold at around Rs380 per kg in retail markets. Normal-quality basmati rice is available at Rs11,500 per 40kg bag and retails at around Rs340 per kg. Good-quality broken basmati rice is available at Rs8,700 per 40kg bag and sells for around Rs260 per kg in retail markets. Lower-grade basmati rice is available in the range of Rs6,500-7,000 per 40kg bag and is being sold at Rs160-210 per kg in retail markets. Tea prices remained stable. Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea is being sold at Rs1,700 per kg.
Turmeric powder prices in the wholesale market declined from Rs600 to Rs550 per kg, while retailers are selling it in the range of Rs750-800 per kg against Rs800-850 per kg previously. Similarly, red chilli powder prices fell from Rs600 to Rs550 per kg in the wholesale market, while retail prices declined to Rs750-800 per kg from Rs800-850 per kg.
Pulse prices remained unchanged during the week. Maash pulse is available in the wholesale market at Rs13,500 per 40kg bag and is being sold in retail markets at Rs420-450 per kg. Gram pulse is available at Rs8,500 per 40kg bag and retails at Rs250-260 per kg, while premium-quality whole gram is priced at Rs9,200 per 40kg bag and is being sold at Rs270-290 per kg in retail markets.
Various varieties of bean lentils are available in the wholesale market at Rs15,200-17,200 per 40kg bag and are being sold in retail markets at Rs410-520 per kg. Moong pulse is available at Rs12,000 per 40kg bag and retails at around Rs330 per kg, while masoor pulse is priced at Rs8,300 per 40kg bag and is being sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets. Prices of packaged milk brands, including Milk Pak, Olpers, and others, also remained stable. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs4,200, while individual one-litre packs are being sold at Rs370 each in retail markets. Similarly, a carton of 250ml packs is available at Rs2,500, while individual 250ml packs are being sold at Rs100 each.
Fresh milk is being sold at Rs250 per litre in most parts of the twin cities, while in some upscale sectors it is available in the range of Rs260-280 per litre. Yogurt is available at Rs250 per kg in most areas, while in posh sectors it is being sold at Rs280-300 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido is available at Rs1,100, while a 200-gram pack is being sold at Rs750. Overall, prices of bathing soaps remained stable. A family-size Safeguard soap bar is available at Rs165, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive, and other brands are being sold at around Rs180 per bar. Similarly, detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite, Express Power, and other brands, remained stable at around Rs580 per kg pack.
Prices of soft drink brands such as Pepsi, Coke, Mirinda, and others also remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
Vegetable prices, however, witnessed a mixed trend. Potato prices increased in the wholesale market from Rs900-1,200 to Rs1,200-1,800 per quintal. In retail markets, potatoes are being sold at Rs50-60 per kg compared to Rs40-50 per kg previously, while the official price remains fixed at Rs22-36 per kg.
Onion prices also increased, with wholesale prices rising to Rs4,100-7,000 per quintal from Rs3,400-6,000 per quintal. In retail markets, onions are being sold at Rs70-100 per kg compared to Rs70-90 per kg previously, while the official rate is set at Rs55-84 per kg.
Tomato prices rose from Rs550 to Rs650 per 15kg basket in the wholesale market. In retail markets, tomatoes are being sold at Rs75-100 per kg compared to Rs50-75 per kg a week earlier, while the official price is fixed at Rs55-87 per kg.
Ginger prices increased from Rs1,200 to Rs1,350 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, ginger is being sold in the range of Rs450-500 per kg against Rs400-450 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs363-399 per kg.
Garlic prices remained stable. Local garlic is available at Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market and is being sold at Rs150-180 per kg in retail markets, while the official rate is fixed at Rs121-154 per kg. Quetta garlic is available at Rs1,150 per 5kg and retails at Rs350-400 per kg against the official rate of Rs242-292 per kg. Chinese garlic is available at Rs1,500 per 5kg in the wholesale market and is being sold at Rs500-550 per kg in retail markets, while the official rate is fixed at Rs351-411 per kg. However, most vendors are reportedly selling local garlic as Chinese garlic to maximize profits.
Capsicum prices increased from Rs320 to Rs550 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, capsicum is being sold at Rs170-180 per kg against Rs90-100 per kg previously, while the official price is fixed at Rs145-169 per kg.
Prices of various pumpkin varieties increased from Rs150-200 to Rs170-220 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, pumpkins are being sold in the range of Rs60-80 per kg against Rs55-75 per kg previously, while the official price is fixed at Rs61-73 per kg.
Prices of various tinda varieties increased from Rs250-650 to Rs300-870 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, tinda is being sold in the range of Rs90-250 per kg against Rs80-190 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs82-218 per kg.
Eggplant prices declined from Rs300 to Rs250 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, eggplant is being sold at Rs70-80 per kg against Rs80-90 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs61-66 per kg.
Cauliflower prices remained stable at Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, cauliflower is being sold in the range of Rs130-150 per kg, while the official price is fixed at Rs121-143 per kg.
Turnip prices declined from Rs275 to Rs225 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, turnips are being sold at Rs70-80 per kg against Rs80-90 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs61-66 per kg.
Cabbage prices declined from Rs350 to Rs200 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, cabbage is being sold at Rs70-80 per kg against Rs80-100 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs55-61 per kg.
Fresh bean prices decreased from Rs475 to Rs425 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, fresh beans are being sold in the range of Rs130-160 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs110-121 per kg.
Pea prices fell from Rs750 to Rs550 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, peas are being sold in the range of Rs150-170 per kg against Rs175-200 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs121-143 per kg.
Okra prices declined from Rs375 to Rs250 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, okra is being sold at Rs75-90 per kg against Rs110-140 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs66-77 per kg.
Carrot prices increased from Rs320 to Rs370 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, carrots are being sold at Rs100-125 per kg against Rs90-100 per kg previously, while the government-fixed rate is Rs97-109 per kg.
Bitter gourd prices declined from Rs350 to Rs230 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, bitter gourd is being sold in the range of Rs70-80 per kg against Rs90-100 per kg previously, while the official price is fixed at Rs61-73 per kg.
Green chilli prices remained stable at Rs250 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, green chillies are being sold in the range of Rs80-100 per kg, while the official price is fixed at Rs73-79 per kg.
Taro root prices remained stable at Rs600 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, taro root is being sold in the range of Rs160-200 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs132-182 per kg.
Cucumber prices increased from Rs150 to Rs200 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, cucumbers are being sold at Rs65-75 per kg against Rs60-70 per kg previously, while the official price is fixed at Rs55-64 per kg.
Ridge gourd prices declined from Rs300 to Rs270 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, ridge gourd is being sold in the range of Rs75-90 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs61-67 per kg. The official price list is issued in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and allows a profit margin of Rs10-20 per kg for sellers operating near wholesale markets, Rs15-30 per kg for retailers in most parts of the capital, and Rs20-40 per kg for sellers in upscale areas. However, vendors, pushcart operators, and shopkeepers continue to disregard the official price list.
Overall, fruit prices witnessed a declining trend during the week. Banana prices decreased from Rs110-250 to Rs100-230 per dozen. Prices of various apple varieties also declined from Rs230-550 to Rs210-490 per kg, with white apples available at Rs210 per kg, making them the cheapest variety, while Pakistani Kala Kulu apples were the most expensive at Rs490 per kg.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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