Essential commodities prices move higher in Islamabad, Rawalpindi

The prices of essential commodities including sugar, dal chana, chana, atta and rice witnessed an upward trend in the wholesale markets of the twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Sugar prices soared to Rs 100 per 100 kg in I-11 market. It was being sold at Rs 6,750 per 100 kg while after increase in the prices of sugar it reached Rs 6,850 per 100 kg.
The prices of dal chana also increased by Rs 300 per 40 kg it was being sold at Rs 2,120 per 40 kg during the last week while after recent increased it reached Rs 2,420 per 40 kg. Likewise, price of gram also increased by Rs 500 per 40 kg in the wholesale market. The gram was being sold at Rs 4,200 per 40 kg while now it touched Rs 4,700 per 40 kg. The prices of gram have increased during the recent few days, told Usman, a trader running business in the same market.
There was increase of Rs 10 in the price of 20 kg flour bag, which was first being sold at Rs 520 and now its prices touched Rs 530 per 20 kg. There are two categories of flour, one is general and the other is superior quality called as fine quality atta. The price of both the categories witnessed increase of Rs 10 per 20kg bag.
Rice was once considered as the cheap food for poor masses has gone beyond their reach now. In the wholesale market, prices of rice witnessed rise of Rs 5-6 per kg. The prices of local brand bath soap cake Palmy and Saba also increased from Rs 20 to 25 and 20 to Rs 30, respectively. Only the prices of ghee dropped up to Rs 30-40 per 16kg in the wholesale market. The local brands include Latif, Mujahid, Fauji etc. There was always fluctuation in the prices of ghee, told one trader.
The price of one kg Baisan also increased from Rs 65 to 70. The same prices trend was witnessed in Raja Bazaar the hub of trade activities in Rawalpindi. The prices of different qualities of rice ranged between Rs 1,540 to 3,800 per 40 kg. The price of Basmati was Rs 2,200 per 40 kg, Basmati Wanda, Rs 3,000-3,300, Karnal old Rs 3400 to 3800, Saila Rs 3100 to 3600, Saila Basmati Rs 2,900, Saila Iree-9 Rs 2,100, Saila Iree-6 Rs 1,550 to 1,650, Sufaid Iree-6 Rs 1,540 to 1,650 and broken Basmati Rs 1,650 to 2,500 per 40 kg.
The price of daal mash was Rs 5,300 per 40 kg, Chana White Mota Rs 4,800, Lobia chips Rs 2,600, mash saalam Rs 4,400 and daal moong without husk Rs 4,850 per 40 kg. One dealer running business in the Raja bazaar feared that prices of flour and rice can increase in the coming days. He said supply of rice was halted due to closure of rice factories owing to prolonged power outages. He said that prices of flour can also increase as the price of wheat has been increased.
Most of the prices of fruits and vegetables witnessed a stable trend except Bhindi and Karaila as their prices decreased by Rs 10-15 per kg while tomatoes prices increased by Rs 5 per kg. Earlier, the Bhindi was being sold at Rs 30 per kg and Karaila Rs 35 per kg, now both items are being sold at Rs 20 per kg.
The prices of the other commodities including Lemon Rs 80-100 per kg, Kaddoo Rs 20 per kg, Green Chilli Rs 40 per kg, Brinjal Rs 20 per kg, Potatoes Rs 120 per 5 kg, onion Rs 60 per 5 kg, garlic Rs 100-130 per kg. Desi Garlic Rs 100 per kg and China Garlic Rs 130 per kg, ginger Rs 90 per kg, teenda Rs 10 per kg, dhanya Rs 10 per bundle and cucumber Rs 30 per kg.
No major change in the prices of fruits was witnessed as compared to last week's prices in the twin cities markets. The prices of mutton, beef and chicken remained stable during the last week, mutton was being sold at Rs 500 per kg, beef Rs 240 per kg and chicken Rs 130 per kg. The prices of boneless meat are higher than the actual price of mutton and beef.