Most essential kitchen items' prices increase

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: Most of essential kitchen items prices increased during the last week as compared to the preceding week with the exception of a slight decline in vegetables' prices, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.

The survey revealed that rice, flour, sugar and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices increased during the last week. However, a slight decline was observed in vegetables and fruit prices. Traders attributed decline in vegetables and fruits price to more supply.

Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Rawalpindi/Islamabad said that manufactures and wholesaler increased prices of most of the essential kitchen items after the budget announced last week.

Sugar price registered an increase of Rs 1-2 per kg in the last week and it was available at Rs. 57-58 per kg in different markets of the twin cities against its previous price of Rs 56 per kg, while LPG prices increased Rs. 6 per kg. Flour prices also increased by Rs 1 per kg during the last week.

Similarly, prices of different rice varieties; basmati-386, Irri-6 and basmati broken prices increased by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg during the last week. Super carnel was available at Rs 125 per against its previous prices of Rs 117 per kg.

Tomato was available at Rs 15-20 against Rs 25 per kg, onion at Rs 25 against Rs 30 per kg, bringers at Rs 20 against Rs 25-30 per kg, karela at Rs 50 against Rs 60 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 45 against Rs 50 per kg, shimla mirch at Rs 100 per kg, potato at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 35 per kg, arvi at Rs 80 per kg without any change and tenda at Rs 20 against Rs 25 per kg during the week under review as compared to the preceding week.

A slight decline was also observed in some fruits prices. Melon was available at Rs 20-25 per kg against Rs 25-30 per kg and water mellon at Rs 20-25 per kg against Rs 25 per kg during the past week as compared to the preceding week. Dark red and golden apple was available at Rs 170 to Rs 220 per kg depending on quality, Indian banana at Rs 180 to Rs 200 and Pakistani banana at Rs 80 to Rs 100 per dozen without any significant change during the past week as compared to the preceding week.

Ghee/cooking oil prices remained unchanged last week as compared to the preceding week. Different brands of cooking oil/ghee were available at Rs 185 to Rs 210 per kg/liter.

Prices of entire range of pulses remained on high side during the past week without significant change, as mash was available at Rs 155-160 per kg, moong at Rs 120 per kg, masoor at Rs 125 per kg, channa at Rs 100 and lobia at Rs 100 per kg.