ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items witnessed a declining trend during the past week compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday revealed.
Traders told this correspondent that prices of chicken, eggs, most vegetables and fruits declined, while prices of rice, ghee/cooking oil, wheat flour, sugar, spices, pulses, meat, detergents, bathing soap, tea, milk and cooked food items remained stable during the week. However, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) witnessed an unprecedented increase of over Rs100 per kg and Rs1,600 per domestic cylinder containing 16 kg of LPG.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has officially fixed the LPG price at Rs270 per kg for October. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are selling the commodity at more than double the official price. In far-flung areas of Hazara Division, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Malakand Division and the Chitral region, LPG is being sold at Rs600-650 per kg, while retail prices in cities such as Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also touched Rs600 per kg, against the official rate.
The price of a domestic LPG cylinder containing 15 kg has increased from Rs7,000 to Rs8,600, against the official price of Rs4,200. This indicates that LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are overcharging consumers by around Rs330 per kg and Rs4,600 per 15-kg domestic cylinder. Meanwhile, OGRA and district authorities, including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars and magistrates, have miserably failed to enforce official prices in the market.
According to traders, prices of all household items, including food products, detergents, shampoos and infant formula milk, have continued to increase over the past eight months following the Middle East crisis, which disrupted fuel supplies due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb.
Traders said consumers were currently paying 30-50 percent higher prices for daily necessities due to increased transportation costs, higher electricity and gas bills, and other input costs. They said that although prices of vegetables, fruits and other edible items at the farm level had declined in recent weeks, higher transportation fares and other input costs were preventing suppliers from passing on the benefits to end consumers. Moreover, the situation has also led to an increase in the costs of school uniforms, notebooks, shoes, school van fares and other daily household necessities.
The survey observed a decline in chicken prices, with the wholesale price falling from Rs15,700 to Rs15,000 per 40 kg. In the retail market, chicken is being sold at Rs410-420 per kg, compared to Rs425-440 per kg previously. Similarly, chicken meat prices declined from Rs600-700 to Rs575-625 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices also declined from Rs7,400 to Rs6,400 per carton containing 30 dozen in the wholesale market, while in the retail market, eggs are being sold at Rs240-250 per dozen, compared to Rs270-280 previously.
Meat prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton available at Rs2,750-2,850 per kg and premium-quality mutton at Rs3,100-3,300 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef is available at Rs1,750 per kg, while mixed beef is being sold at Rs1,550 per kg. Prices of various varieties of fish witnessed an upward trend due to a drop in temperature, with different varieties available at Rs750-1,500 per kg, compared to Rs600-1,200 previously.
Sugar prices remained stable at Rs6,600 per 50-kg bag in the wholesale market, while in the retail market, it is being sold at Rs150-160 per kg, against the official rate of Rs139 per kg.
Wheat flour prices also remained stable at Rs2,300 per 15-kg bag in the wholesale market, while in the retail market, it is still being sold at Rs2,380 per bag. No changes were witnessed in the prices of cooked roti, naan and paratha, with roti available at Rs25, naan at Rs30 and paratha at Rs60-70. Tandoor and restaurant owners have expressed serious concern over the continuous increase in gas, electricity, petrol, diesel and other input costs, saying that the situation is forcing them to close their businesses. Prices of bakery and confectionery items also remained unchanged during the week, with normal-sized bread available at Rs180, small-sized bread at Rs130 and family-sized bread at Rs240.
Prices of cooked food items remained unchanged, with a plate of cooked lentils or vegetables available at Rs350 at a normal restaurant, beef at Rs680, and chicken at Rs530 and mutton at Rs800. A plate of nihari is available at Rs600, while a cup of tea at most hotels and restaurants costs Rs80-100. However, some restaurant operators are still selling tea at Rs50-60 per cup.
Prices of spices, including Shan, National and Deewan brands, remained unchanged, with various varieties available at Rs160 per 39-gram pack. Ghee and cooking oil prices witnessed a mixed trend. The wholesale price of B-grade ghee/cooking oil declined from Rs6,800 to Rs6,700 per carton containing 16 packs. In the retail market, it is being sold at Rs440-450 per 900-gram pack. Meanwhile, prices of premium-quality ghee and cooking oil brands, including Dalda, remained stable, with a 5-kg tin of Dalda ghee available at Rs2,950, while a 5-litre bottle of cooking oil is being sold at Rs3,100.
Prices of various varieties of rice remained stable, with premium-quality basmati rice available at Rs11,000 per 40 kg in the wholesale market, while in the retail market it is being sold at Rs330 per kg. Normal-quality basmati rice is available at Rs10,000 per 40 kg in the wholesale market and Rs300 per kg in the retail market. Good-quality broken basmati rice is available at Rs7,500 per 40 kg wholesale, while its retail price stands at Rs230 per kg. Meanwhile, normal-quality broken basmati rice is available at Rs6,000 per 40 kg in the wholesale market and Rs170-200 per kg in the retail market.
Tea prices witnessed no changes, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Supreme, Tipal Danedar and Islamabad Tea are available at Rs1,800 per kg.
The wholesale price of turmeric powder remained stable at Rs550 per kg, while in the retail market it is being sold at Rs700-850 per kg. Similarly, the wholesale price of red chilli powder remained unchanged at Rs550 per kg, while retailers are selling it at Rs750-850 per kg. However, some retailers are charging as much as Rs900-1,000 per kg in the absence of effective monitoring by district authorities.
Prices of various pulses also remained stable. Mash pulse is available at Rs15,000 per 40 kg in the wholesale market, while its retail price ranges from Rs450-470 per kg. Gram is available at Rs9,500 per 40 kg wholesale and Rs260-280 per kg retail. Premium-quality whole gram is available at Rs10,000 per 40 kg wholesale, while its retail price ranges from Rs300-320 per kg. Various varieties of bean lentils are available at Rs16,000-17,700 per 40 kg in the wholesale market and Rs440-520 per kg in the retail market. Moong pulse is available at Rs10,500 per 40 kg wholesale and Rs300 per kg retail, while masoor pulse is available at Rs9,000 per 40 kg wholesale and Rs280 per kg retail.
Prices of packaged milk brands, including MilkPak, Olper’s and others, witnessed no changes, with a carton containing 12 one-litre packs available at Rs4,250, while a one-litre pack is being sold at Rs380 in the retail market. The price of a carton containing 250-ml packs also remained stable at Rs2,530, while a single 250-ml pack is available at Rs100. Fresh milk prices remained stable at Rs260 per litre, while in some areas, particularly posh sectors, it is being sold at Rs280-300 per litre. The price of yoghurt also remained stable at Rs280 per kg, while in posh sectors it is being sold at Rs300-330 per kg. Prices of formula milk also remained unchanged, with a 400-gram pack of Nido available at Rs1,100, a 400-gram pack of Lactogen at Rs1,580 and a 200-gram pack of Nido at Rs580.
Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable, with a family-size pack of Safeguard available at Rs175, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands are available at Rs160 per pack.
However, detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite and Express Power, witnessed an increase, with the price of a one-kg pack rising from Rs600 to Rs620. Since June 2026, the price of a one-kg pack has increased by Rs90.
No changes were observed in shampoo prices, with a small bottle of Lifebuoy available at Rs200 and a 200-ml bottle of Sunsilk shampoo at Rs400.
Prices of various soft drink brands, including Pepsi, Coke, Miranda and others, also remained stable, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
Overall, vegetable prices witnessed a declining trend. Potato prices, however, increased after almost two years, with wholesale rates rising to Rs2,000-3,800 per quintal from Rs1,400-2,650 per quintal. In the retail market, potatoes are being sold at Rs70-80 per kg, compared to Rs45-50 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs26-44 per kg. Onion prices declined from Rs7,000-14,500 to Rs6,500-14,000 per quintal. In the retail market, onions are being sold at Rs180-250 per kg, compared to Rs190-260 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs145-212 per kg. Tomato prices increased from Rs1,700 to Rs2,300 per 15-kg basket. In the retail market, tomatoes are being sold at Rs140-200 per kg, compared to Rs100-150 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs121-182 per kg. Ginger prices declined from Rs1,500 to Rs1,400 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, ginger is being sold at Rs450-550 per kg, against the official rate of Rs363-399 per kg. Prices of various varieties of garlic increased from Rs700-1,900 to Rs800-2,100 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, garlic is being sold at Rs300-600 per kg, compared to Rs260-570 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs218-460 per kg.
Capsicum prices declined from Rs850 to Rs700 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, capsicum is being sold at Rs180-220 per kg, compared to Rs230-250 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs157-182 per kg. Prices of various varieties of pumpkin declined from Rs300-650 to Rs100-500 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, pumpkins are being sold at Rs60-180 per kg, compared to Rs160-200 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs131-157 per kg. Prices of various varieties of tinda remained stable at Rs600-1,450 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, tinda is being sold at Rs200-400 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs169-363 per kg. Eggplant prices declined from Rs330 to Rs300 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, eggplants are being sold at Rs90-110 per kg, compared to Rs100-120 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs73-85 per kg. Cauliflower prices increased from Rs450 to Rs475 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, cauliflower is being sold at Rs160-180 per kg, compared to Rs140-160 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs109-121 per kg.
Spinach prices remained stable at Rs120 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, spinach is being sold at Rs50-60 per bundle, compared to Rs70-80 per bundle previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs36-43 per kg.
Cabbage prices declined from Rs600 to Rs550 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, cabbage is being sold at Rs130-150 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs133-145 per kg. Fresh bean prices remained stable at Rs1,050 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, fresh beans are being sold at Rs275-350 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs242-303 per kg.
Okra prices remained stable at Rs650 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, okra is being sold at Rs170-200 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs145-169 per kg. Carrot prices increased from Rs450 to Rs475 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, carrots are being sold at Rs130-150 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs109-121 per kg. Bitter gourd prices remained stable at Rs650 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, bitter gourd is being sold at Rs180-200 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs145-157 per kg. Green chilli prices increased from Rs450 to Rs500 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, green chillies are being sold at Rs150-175 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs121-132 per kg. Taro root prices remained stable at Rs400 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, taro root is being sold at Rs140-150 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs97-109 per kg. Cucumber prices remained stable at Rs200 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, cucumbers are being sold at Rs75-90 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs55-61 per kg. Ridge gourd prices remained stable at Rs600 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, ridge gourd is being sold at Rs160-180 per kg, compared to Rs150-170 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs145-169 per kg. Pea prices increased from Rs1,450 to Rs1,600 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, peas are being sold at Rs400-430 per kg, compared to Rs375-425 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs327-375 per kg.
Overall, fruit prices witnessed no significant changes. Banana prices remained stable at Rs60-170 per dozen, while apple prices ranged from Rs150-450 per kg, compared to Rs150-500 per kg previously. Persimmons remained available at Rs275-300 per kg, while papaya prices remained stable at Rs320-350 per kg. Newly arrived pomegranates are available at Rs550-800 per kg, while guava prices remained stable at Rs250-300 per kg. Prices of various varieties of grapes ranged from Rs300-800 per kg, compared to Rs350-700 per kg previously. Citrus fruit prices declined from Rs150-180 to Rs130-150 per dozen, while chikoo prices increased from Rs230-270 to Rs250-300 per kg.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments