ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items witnessed an upward trend during the last week compared to the previous week, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.
The survey observed an increase of Rs2,200 per 40kg in chicken prices, which rose from Rs9,800 to Rs12,000 in the wholesale market. In retail, chicken is being sold at Rs340–350 per kg, up from Rs290–310 per kg. Chicken meat prices also increased from Rs430–470 to Rs450–500 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices increased by Rs300 per carton, rising from Rs4,700 to Rs5,000 per carton of 30 dozen in the wholesale market. In retail, eggs are being sold at Rs215–225 per dozen, compared to Rs200–210 previously.
Meat prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton available at Rs2,700–2,800 per kg and premium quality at Rs3,000–3,200 per kg. Normal boneless beef is available at Rs1,700 per kg, while mixed beef is priced at Rs1,500 per kg. Fish prices also remained stable, with various varieties available in the range of Rs550–1,000 per kg. Sugar prices increased from Rs7,000 to Rs7,100 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets, while in retail it is being sold at Rs150–160 per kg. Wheat flour prices decreased from Rs1,900 to Rs1,800 per 15kg bag in wholesale markets, while in retail it is being sold at Rs1,830–1,850 compared to Rs1,930–1,950 per 15kg bag.
Roti, naan, and paratha prices remained stable, with roti selling at Rs20, naan at Rs30, and paratha at Rs60. No changes were observed in bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 (up from Rs140), small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210. Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A cooked dal or vegetable plate is available at Rs320, a beef plate at Rs550, a chicken plate at Rs500, and mutton at Rs750. At some tea stalls, the price of a cup of tea has reduced from Rs70 to Rs50; however, most restaurants are selling tea in the range of Rs70–100 per cup.
No change was observed in branded spice prices, which are currently being offered under promotional schemes by manufacturers, reducing prices from Rs150 per 39-gram pack to Rs130 per pack. Ghee and cooking oil prices remained stable. B-grade ghee/oil is priced at Rs6,600 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market and is being sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack in retail. Premium brands such as Dalda ghee are available at Rs2,880 per 5kg tin, while in retail they are sold at around Rs3,000 per 5-litre bottle.
Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price at Rs308.76 per kg; however, marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are selling LPG in the range of Rs425–450 per kg, significantly above the official rate. A domestic LPG cylinder of 15kg is being sold at Rs6,600, which is 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 domestic cylinder. Despite this, relevant authorities, including local administration officials, have reportedly failed to effectively monitor and enforce official rates, resulting in sustained overcharging over the past several years.
The prices of various varieties of rice remained stable, with top-quality basmati rice available at Rs13,000 per 40kg bag, which is being sold in retail at Rs380 per kg. Normal-quality basmati is priced at Rs11,500 per 40kg bag and is sold at Rs340 per kg in retail, while good-quality broken basmati is available at Rs8,700 per 40kg bag and is sold at Rs260 per kg. Another variety of normal-quality basmati is priced at Rs6,500–7,000 per 40kg bag and is being sold in retail at Rs160–210 per kg.
Tea prices remained stable, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs2,000 per 900-gram pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,700 per kg. Turmeric powder prices in the wholesale market remained stable at Rs550 per kg, while retailers are selling it at Rs750–800 per kg. Red chilli powder prices also remained stable at Rs550 per kg in wholesale markets, with retail prices ranging between Rs750–800 per kg.
Pulses prices witnessed no major changes. Maash pulse is available at Rs13,500 per 40kg in wholesale and is being sold at Rs420–450 per kg in retail. Gram pulse is priced at Rs8,500 per 40kg and is sold at Rs250–260 per kg. Best-quality whole gram is available at Rs9,200 per 40kg and is sold at Rs270–290 per kg. Various varieties of bean lentils are priced between Rs15,200 and Rs17,200, with retail prices ranging from Rs410–520 per kg. Moong pulse is available at Rs12,000 per 40kg and is sold at around Rs330 per kg, while masoor pulse is priced at Rs8,300 per 40kg and is sold at Rs260 per kg.
Packed milk prices, including MilkPak, Olpers, and other brands, remained stable. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs4,200, while a one-litre pack is sold at Rs370 per pack, and a 250-ml pack is priced at Rs100. Fresh milk in most parts of the twin cities is being sold at Rs250 per litre, while in some posh sectors it is priced at Rs260–280 per litre. Yogurt is available at Rs250 per kg in most areas and at Rs280–300 per kg in upscale localities. No changes were observed in powdered milk prices such as Nido and Lactogen, with a 400-gram pack of Nido available at Rs1,100 and a 200-gram pack at Rs750.
Soap prices remained stable overall, with Safeguard family size available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive, and other brands are priced at Rs180 per pack. Detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite, Express Power, and others, also remained stable at Rs580 per kg pack. Prices of soft drinks such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Miranda, and others remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
The prices of vegetables witnessed an increasing trend as potato prices rose from Rs1,100–1,600 to Rs1,400–2,300 per quintal, while retailers are selling them in the range of Rs50–60 per kg against an official price of Rs24–40 per kg. Onion prices in the wholesale market increased from Rs3,200–5,700 to Rs3,800–6,600 per quintal and are being sold at Rs70–100 per kg in retail, compared to the earlier Rs60–80, while the official rate is fixed at Rs55–88 per kg. Tomato prices rose from Rs900 to Rs1,300 per 15kg basket and are being sold at Rs120–150 per kg against Rs90–125, while the official price is Rs91–120 per kg.
Ginger prices remained stable at Rs1,350 per 5kg in the wholesale market and are being sold at Rs450–500 per kg in retail, while the official rate is Rs363–399 per kg. Garlic prices also remained stable: local garlic is available at Rs450 per 5kg and is sold at Rs150–180 per kg (official rate Rs132–145 per kg), Quetta garlic at Rs1,150 per 5kg is sold at Rs350–400 per kg (official rate Rs242–278 per kg), and Chinese garlic at Rs1,300 per 5kg is sold at Rs450–500 per kg (official rate Rs278–316 per kg).
Capsicum prices rose from Rs750 to Rs800 per 5kg in the wholesale market and are being sold at Rs220–250 per kg against Rs200–220, while the official price is Rs182–206 per kg. Pumpkin prices increased from Rs170–220 to Rs220–350 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs65–100 per kg against Rs60–80, while the official rate is Rs55–85 per kg. Tinda prices rose from Rs300–870 to Rs350–950 per 5kg, with retail rates at Rs100–260 per kg against Rs90–240, while the official rate is Rs85–237 per kg.
Eggplant prices increased from Rs200 to Rs350 per 5kg and are being sold at Rs90–100 per kg against Rs65–75, while the official rate is Rs79–85 per kg. Cauliflower prices rose from Rs600 to Rs700 per 5kg and are sold at Rs200–230 per kg against Rs150–180, though the official rate is Rs169–194 per kg. Turnip prices remained stable at Rs175 per 5kg and are sold at Rs60–70 per kg, with an official rate of Rs48–55 per kg. Cabbage prices declined from Rs200 to Rs175 per 5kg and are being sold at Rs60–70 per kg against Rs70–80, while the official rate is Rs61–67 per kg.
Fresh beans remained stable at Rs500 per 5kg and are sold at Rs130–160 per kg, while the official rate is Rs121–132 per kg. Pea prices rose from Rs700 to Rs800 per 5kg and are sold at Rs200–230 per kg against Rs180–200, while the official rate is Rs182–218 per kg. Okra prices increased from Rs300 to Rs450 per 5kg and are sold at Rs120–150 per kg against Rs80–100, while the official rate is Rs109–116 per kg. Carrot prices remained stable at Rs450 per 5kg and are sold at Rs110–130 per kg, close to the official rate of Rs109–128 per kg. Bitter gourd prices remained stable at Rs230 per 5kg and are sold at Rs70–80 per kg, while the official rate is Rs67–73 per kg.
Green chilli prices rose from Rs250 to Rs350 per 5kg and are sold at Rs90–120 per kg against Rs80–100, while the official rate is Rs85–97 per kg. Taro root prices increased from Rs500 to Rs700 per 5kg and are sold at Rs170–200 per kg against Rs150–180, while the official rate is Rs145–169 per kg. Cucumber prices rose from Rs200 to Rs350 per 5kg and are sold at Rs90–110 per kg against Rs65–75, while the official rate is Rs85–99 per kg. Ridge gourd prices remained stable at Rs225 per 5kg and are sold at Rs75–90 per kg, while the official rate is Rs67–73 per kg.
The official rate list is issued after close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, with a profit margin of Rs10–20 per kg for sellers at wholesale markets, Rs15–30 per kg for most parts of the capital city, and Rs20–40 per kg for sellers in posh areas. However, vendors, pushcart holders, and shopkeepers are not following the official price list.
Overall, fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend. Banana prices remained stable at Rs100–230 per dozen. Apples are available in the range of Rs200–480 per kg, with white apples at Rs200 per kg being the cheapest and Pakistani Kalakilo apples at Rs480 per kg the most expensive. Mangoes are priced between Rs120–400 per kg against Rs130–300 previously. Apricots range from Rs180–300 per kg, peaches Rs130–275 per kg, melons Rs60–170 per kg, watermelons Rs30–50 per kg, berries Rs100–130 per kg, plums Rs350–550 per kg, and cherries Rs450–600 per 500 grams.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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