The prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained on the high side during the past week as compared to the preceding week, a survey by Business Recorder on Saturday showed. It was observed that prices of all fuels, including kerosene oil, firewood, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) had registered increase by 14 percent to 25 percent.
LPG prices increased by Rs 20-25 per kg, and firewood by Rs 50-100 per 40 kg as compared to last week. The prices of major spices including red chili powder went up by 4 percent, salt by 2 percent. Mutton was up by 3 percent and beef by 1 percent. Wheat flour price went up by 2 percent, possibly because of the sowing season of the crop. Prices of golden and dark red apples registered increase of 7 percent and 6 percent respectively. Abundance of 'kinnow' in the market with the onset of winter saw fall in price by 23 percent. The price of banana also registered 2 percent decrease during the week. Winter has a big impact on prices of eggs and peanuts, which went up by 9 percent and 6 percent respectively.
The survey noted that prices of some essential kitchen items increased significantly, whereas rates of other commodities registered nominal decline. Prices of vegetables and fruits registered mixed trend. There was a significant decline in sugar and gur prices. Sugar was being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 55. At Utility stores, sugar is available at Rs 42 per kg against Rs 55 per kg.
Red beans price increased by Rs 5 per kg, followed by chickpeas and black gram, each registering an increase of Rs 4 per kg. The prices of 'moong' pulse increased by Rs 5, gram pulse by Rs 3, white beans by Rs 2, 'masoor pulse by Rs 3 and 'mash' pulse by Rs 2 due to short supply. One dozen eggs were available at Rs 120 against last week's Rs 110, registering an increase of Rs 10 per dozen.
In wholesale market tomatoes were being sold at Rs 60 per kg and onions at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 55 and Rs 45 of last week. Wholesalers attributed increase to seasonal effects, claiming decline in supply. Green chillies were being sold at Rs 130 per kg against Rs 115-120 per kg last week and cauliflower at Rs 52-55 per kg against Rs 50.
Rice prices remained stable. Broken basmati was available at Rs 60-70 in different markets. Similarly basmati depending on quality was available at Rs 100-120 per kg without any change in their prices. Potato prices witnessed sharp decline due to better supply as per 5 kg potatoes were available at Rs 80 in whole sale market, while in retail market at Rs 20-25 per kg.
No significant change was witnessed in fruit prices, which remained on the high side during the week past as compared to last week. Banana prices increased from Rs 60 per dozen to Rs 70-80 depending on quality. Guava price remained unchanged and was being sold at Rs 50 per kg. Apple was available at Rs 120 to 150 per kg depending on quality against Rs 120 to 140 per kg last week.