Prices of most of the essential kitchen items have registered a significant increase during the current week as compared to last week, a survey carried out by Business Recorder on Saturday revealed.
Traders in the twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi wholesale and retail markets revealed that during the week price of most of the essential kitchen items eg cooking-oil/ghee, vegetables, garlic, flour, pulses, red chili, spices, tea, poultry products, meat and fruits have shown an upward trend.
The local traders were of the view that insufficient supply of essential kitchen items is the major reason of price hike in twin cities. Similarly, as the holy month of Ramadan is approaching, the hoarders and profiteers have started pilling up the stocks for fleecing the public.
The price of staple food ie wheat flour increased by Rs 2 per kg. The price of poultry products also increased, with highest increase registered in the price of chicken meat that is Rs 20 per kg followed by chicken live Rs 15 per kg and eggs by Rs 12 per dozen. Mutton and beef each has registered an increase of Rs 10 per kg in prices respectively.
Vegetables prices also registered sustainable increase this week. Tomato was available at Rs 60 per kg, potato at Rs 45, onion, arvi, and Karela each at Rs 50 per kg and Ocra at Rs 70 per kg this week against previous week prices of Rs 55, Rs 40, Rs 45, Rs 48, Rs 45 and Rs 60 per kg respectively.
Of the rice varieties, the price of basmati broken increased by Rs 5 per kg while that of irri increased by Rs 3 per kg. However, rice basmati-386 registered a decrease of Rs 5 per kg in its price in the under review as compared to previous week. Some pulses registered a price increase while rates of others decreased.
Pulses including gram pulse, white beans, chick peas and gram black registered an increase of Rs 5, Rs 4 and Rs 3 per kg in their respective prices while other pulses like red beans, mash and moong registered a decrease of Rs 2, Rs 3 and Rs 1 per kg in their prices, respectively against last week.
Sugar and desi shakar each registered an increase of Rs 2 and Rs 5 per kg in their price respectively compared to previous week. Prices of fruits remained on high side this week as compared to the last week. Bananas were available at Rs 80 to Rs 100 per dozen depending on quality against its previous price of Rs 70 and Rs 80, mango was available at Rs 100 to 120 per kg compared to Rs 80 last week, apple was available at Rs 150 compared to its previous price Rs 120 per kg. Price of ghee and cooking oil continued to rise and registered an increase of Rs 5 per kg last week. Similarly tea prices witnessed an increase of Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg.