ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items have shown a declining trend — particularly in the wholesale market — during the past week compared to the previous one, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed on Saturday.
A decline in wheat flour prices was noted, as the price of best-quality wheat flour (ex-mill) fell from Rs1,780 to Rs1,730 per 15kg bag. In retail, it is being sold at Rs1,780–1,800 per 15kg bag. Tandoor owners have kept the prices of Roti, Naan, and Paratha unchanged, selling Roti at Rs20, Naan at Rs23–25, and Paratha at Rs60. No variation was observed in bakery and confectionery prices, with normal-sized bread available at Rs140 and small-sized bread at Rs100/110.
Prices of various rice varieties fell significantly with the arrival of new stock. The best-quality basmati in the wholesale market is available at Rs11,000 against Rs13,700 per 40kg bag, and in retail at Rs300 against Rs400 per kg. The price of normal-quality basmati fell from Rs12,500 to Rs10,000 per 40kg bag, sold at Rs270 against Rs350 per kg in retail. Good-quality broken basmati declined from Rs9,000 to Rs7,500 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs200 against Rs260 per kg. Normal-quality basmati is selling at Rs5,000–6,000 per 40kg bag, and at Rs130–170 per kg in retail.
Tea prices remained unchanged: Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs2,200 per 900-gram pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg. In the wholesale market, turmeric powder remained stable at Rs700 per kg (retail: Rs1,000 per kg), and red chilli powder at Rs550 per kg (retail: Rs800 per kg).
Cooked food prices also remained stable: a cooked dal/vegetable plate at a regular hotel is available at Rs320, cooked beef at Rs550, cooked chicken at Rs500, cooked mutton at Rs750, naan/roti at Rs25/30, and tea at Rs70–100 per cup.
Sugar prices remained stable at Rs8,800 per 50kg bag, though the official government price is Rs8,600 per 50kg bag only available to licensed retailers. Non-licensed retailers are purchasing sugar at higher open-market rates and selling it at Rs190–200 per kg, compared to the official rate of Rs172 per kg.
A reduction was observed in chicken prices, which fell from Rs14,800 to Rs12,400 per 40kg in the wholesale market. Retail prices dropped to Rs330–340 per kg from Rs390–400 per kg, while chicken meat is being sold at Rs550–650 per kg, depending on locality. Egg prices also declined: wholesale rates fell from Rs10,500 to Rs9,300 per carton of 30 dozen, with retail prices at Rs340–350 per dozen compared to Rs350–360 earlier. Mutton and beef prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton at Rs2,400 per kg and premium-quality at Rs2,700–2,800 per kg. Boneless beef is sold at Rs1,500 per kg and mixed beef at Rs1,300 per kg. Various fish varieties are available at Rs600–1,000 per kg.
Ghee/cooking oil prices remained unchanged. B-grade ghee/oil is stable at Rs6,000 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale, retailing at Rs400 per 900-gram pack. Premium brands such as Dalda ghee remain at Rs2,800 per 5kg tin, with retail prices at Rs2,900 per 5-litre bottle.
Branded spice prices (Shan, National, etc.) remained unchanged at Rs150 per 39g pack and Rs70 for sachets. Pulse prices declined: maash pulse is available at Rs400–460 against Rs440–500 per kg; gram pulse at Rs270 vs Rs275; best-quality whole gram pulse at Rs300 vs Rs330, and normal at Rs260 vs Rs280. Various bean lentils are selling at Rs400–500 vs Rs430–520 per kg, moong at Rs300 vs Rs320, and masoor at Rs260 vs Rs280 per kg.
Packed milk prices (Milk-Pak, Olpers, etc.) remained stable at Rs3,800–4,000 per carton. In retail, 250ml packs sell at Rs100 and one-litre packs at Rs360. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs250 per litre in some areas and Rs240 in others, while yogurt remains at Rs250 per kg. Powdered milk prices also remained unchanged, with 400g Nido at Rs1,350 and 200g at Rs750.
Bathing soap prices remained stable: family-size Safeguard at Rs160 per pack, and Dettol, Lux, Palmolive, and others at Rs180 per pack. Detergents including Ariel, Surf, Brite, and Express Power are available at Rs530 per kg pack.
Cold drink prices (Pepsi, Coke, Miranda, etc.) also remained stable, with family-size bottles at Rs230.
On November 1, 2025, OGRA officially notified a reduction in LPG prices for November 2025, lowering the price of an 11.8kg domestic cylinder by Rs65 and fixing LPG at Rs201 per kg. The cylinder price fell from Rs2,448 to Rs2,387. However, retailers are overcharging by Rs500–800 per cylinder and Rs100–120 per kg. OGRA has failed to enforce official prices, forcing consumers to pay inflated rates.
Overall vegetable prices showed a declining trend. Potato prices remained stable at Rs3,800–5,700 per quintal, retailing at Rs70–100 per kg against the official Rs55–85 rate. Onion prices dropped from Rs6,000–8,500 to Rs5,800–8,200 per quintal, retailing at Rs100–150 per kg vs officially fixed Rs88–120. Tomato prices rose slightly from Rs1,350 to Rs1,400 per 15kg basket, retailing at Rs120–170 against the official Rs105–140 per kg.
Ginger declined from Rs1,800–2,000 to Rs1,500–1,600 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing at Rs400–450 vs Rs500–600. Garlic prices also fell: local garlic dropped to Rs750 per 5kg (retail: Rs200–230 vs Rs230–270). Quetta garlic remained at Rs1,200 per 5kg, retailing at Rs265–290. Chinese garlic increased from Rs1,500 to Rs1,650 per 5kg, retailing at Rs400–425 vs Rs350–400. Many vendors reportedly sell local garlic as “China/Quetta” to increase profits. The government has fixed rates for local garlic at Rs195–210, Quetta at Rs270–290, and China at Rs375–395 per kg.
Capsicum prices fell from Rs1,000 to Rs900 per 5kg but continue retailing at Rs240–275 vs official Rs220–240 per kg. Pumpkin varieties declined from Rs200–350 to Rs275–300 per 5kg, retailing at Rs65–110 vs official Rs44–88. Tinda varieties fell from Rs450–750 to Rs400–650 per 5kg, retailing at Rs165–200 vs official Rs110–165. Eggplant dropped from Rs175 to Rs125 per 5kg, retailing at Rs60–75 vs Rs40–44. Cauliflower fell from Rs175 to Rs120 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50–70 vs official Rs36–40. Cabbage declined from Rs550 to Rs500 per 5kg, retailing at Rs150–170 vs official Rs120–132.
Similarly, the prices of most other vegetables and fruits have declined in the wholesale market. However, due to a lack of effective monitoring, retailers have not passed the benefit on to consumers. People have urged authorities either to enforce the official price list or discontinue the exercise altogether, as it offers no real relief to the public.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025