Prices of essential kitchen items in Islamabad show upward trend
ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items witnessed an upward trend this week compared to the previous week, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.
The price of chicken in the wholesale market rose from Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000 per 40kg. In retail, it is being sold at Rs400–410 per kg, up from Rs385–400 per kg. Similarly, chicken meat prices increased from Rs570–620 to Rs600–640 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices declined from Rs 7,000 to Rs 6,700 per carton (containing 30 dozen) in the wholesale market, while in retail, eggs are being sold in the range of Rs250–260 per dozen.
Meat prices also increased across the board. Normal quality mutton is available in the range of Rs2,700–2,800 per kg, up from Rs2,600–2,700, while high-quality mutton is being sold at Rs3,000–3,200 per kg compared to Rs2,800–3,000 previously. The price of normal quality boneless beef rose from Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,700 per kg, while normal mixed beef increased from Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,500 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also rose, with rates ranging from Rs550–1,000 per kg compared to Rs450–800 per kg last week.
Sugar price increased from Rs700 to Rs710 per 50kg bag in the wholesale market. In retail, sugar is being sold in the range of Rs150–160 per kg.
Wheat flour prices rose from Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,670 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs 1,700–1,720 compared to Rs 1,630–1,650 per 15kg bag. No changes were observed in the prices of roti, naan, and paratha. Roti is being sold at Rs25, naan at Rs30, and paratha at Rs60. Similarly, no changes were recorded in bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 compared to Rs140, small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210.
Ghee and cooking oil prices remained stable. B-grade ghee/oil is priced at Rs 6,700 per carton (16 packs) in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack. Prices of premium brands, such as Dalda ghee, also remained stable at Rs 2,920 per 5kg tin in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs 3,000 per 5-litre bottle.
Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has set the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Rs304 per kilogram. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are selling it in the range of Rs425–450 per kg, compared to the official rate of Rs304. A domestic cylinder containing 15kg of LPG is being sold at Rs 6,200 against the official rate of Rs 4,560, reflecting overcharging of Rs121–145 per kg and Rs 2,140 per 15kg cylinder.
Marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are overcharging by Rs75–100 per kg. The OGRA and other relevant authorities—including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers, and retailers—are not effectively monitoring the market to enforce official rates. As a result, consumers are compelled to pay higher prices.
Prices of various rice varieties remained stable. Top-quality basmati rice is available at Rs 13,000 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs380 per kg. Normal-quality basmati is priced at Rs 11,500 per 40kg bag, sold at Rs340 per kg in retail. Good-quality broken basmati is available at Rs 8,700 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs260 per kg. Meanwhile, lower-quality basmati is available at Rs 6,500–7,000 per 40kg bag, with retail prices ranging from Rs160–210 per kg.
Tea prices also remained stable. Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs 2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea is priced at Rs 1,700 per kg. Turmeric and red chilli powder prices showed no change. Turmeric powder is available at Rs650 per kg in the wholesale market and is sold at Rs850–950 per kg in retail, while red chilli powder is priced at Rs700 per kg wholesale and Rs850–950 per kg in retail.
Prices of cooked food items remained stable. A cooked dal or vegetable plate at a standard hotel is available at Rs320, a cooked beef plate at Rs550, a chicken plate at Rs500, and mutton at Rs750. Roti and naan are being sold at Rs25 and Rs30, respectively, while a cup of tea is available in the range of Rs70–100. No changes were observed in the prices of branded spices such as Shan and National, which are available at Rs150 per 39-gram pack.
Pulses prices witnessed no change. Maash pulse in the wholesale market is available at Rs 14,500 per 40kg, while in retail it is being sold in the range of Rs450–500 per kg. Gram pulse is priced at Rs 9,200 per 40kg in wholesale, with retail rates at Rs250–260 per kg. Best-quality whole gram is available at Rs 10,000 per 40kg, retailing at Rs270–290 per kg, while normal gram pulse is being sold at around Rs270 per kg.
Various varieties of lentils are available in the range of Rs 15,600–18,600 per 40kg in the wholesale market, while in retail they are being sold at Rs440–560 per kg. Moong pulse is priced at Rs 12,700 per 40kg in wholesale, with a retail price of around Rs350 per kg, and masoor pulse is available at Rs 9,200 per 40kg, retailing at Rs260 per kg.
Prices of packed milk brands such as Milk Pak and Olpers remained largely unchanged. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs 4,200, while in retail, milk is being sold at Rs370 per litre pack. The price of a carton of 250ml packed milk decreased from Rs 2,550 to Rs 2,500, with retail prices at around Rs100 per 250ml pack. Fresh milk in some parts of the twin cities is being sold at Rs250 per litre, while in other areas it remains at Rs240 per litre. Yogurt prices are stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in powdered milk prices, such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido is available at Rs 1,100 compared to Rs 1,350 previously, while a 200-gram pack is priced at Rs750.
Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable. Safeguard (family size) is available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive, and other brands are priced at around Rs180 per pack. Detergent prices, including brands such as Ariel, Surf, Brite, and Express Power, also remained stable at around Rs580 per kg pack.
Prices of soft drink brands such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Mirinda, and others remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
Vegetable prices showed a mixed trend. Potato prices declined from Rs 1,400–2,400 to Rs 1,100–1,400 per quintal. In retail, potatoes are being sold in the range of Rs40–50 per kg compared to Rs50–60 previously, although the government-fixed price is Rs20–28 per kg.
Onion prices remained stable in both wholesale and retail markets. In wholesale, onions were sold at Rs 3,500–6,000 per quintal, while retail prices ranged from Rs65–80 per kg against the officially set price of Rs43–73 per kg. Tomato prices decreased from Rs550 to Rs450 per 15kg basket, with retail prices at Rs40–60 per kg compared to Rs50–70 previously, while the official rate is Rs24–52 per kg.
Ginger prices remained stable at Rs 1,300 per 5kg in the wholesale market, with retail prices ranging from Rs400–450 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs327–373 per kg. Garlic prices showed a mixed trend. Local garlic is available at Rs500 per 5kg in wholesale and is being sold at Rs150–200 per kg in retail, while the official rate is Rs132–169 per kg.
Quetta garlic prices increased from Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,150 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs350–400 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs242–327 per kg. Meanwhile, China garlic prices declined from Rs 2,900 to Rs 2,500 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices ranging from Rs650–750 per kg compared to Rs750–800 previously, while the government rate is set at Rs545–626 per kg. However, a majority of vendors are reportedly selling local garlic as China garlic to maximize profits.
Capsicum prices remained stable at Rs180 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold in the range of Rs70–80 per kg compared to the official price of Rs55–61 per kg. Prices of various pumpkin varieties increased from Rs170–250 to Rs170–300 per 5kg in the wholesale market, with retail prices ranging from Rs60–90 per kg against the official rate of Rs50–79 per kg. Tinda prices remained stable at Rs400–700 per 5kg in wholesale, while in retail they are being sold in the range of Rs130–250 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs45–194 per kg. Eggplant prices declined from Rs200 to Rs180 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs65–70 per kg compared to Rs70–80 previously, while the official rate is Rs58–64 per kg. Cauliflower prices decreased from Rs500 to Rs450 per 5kg in wholesale, while in retail it is being sold at Rs120–150 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs109–121 per kg. Turnip prices dropped from Rs150 to Rs120 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs40–50 per kg compared to Rs50–60 previously, while the official rate is Rs36–43 per kg. Cabbage prices remained stable at Rs200 per 5kg, while in retail it is being sold at Rs65–75 per kg against the official rate of Rs55–61 per kg.
Fresh bean prices remained stable at Rs400 per 5kg in wholesale, with retail prices ranging from Rs120–150 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs97–109 per kg. Peas’ prices remained stable at Rs600 per 5kg, while in retail they are being sold in the range of Rs150–170 per kg against the official rate of Rs132–157 per kg. Okra prices declined from Rs500 to Rs450 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs120–150 per kg compared to the official rate of Rs103–115 per kg. Carrot prices dropped from Rs375 to Rs300 per 5kg, while in retail they are being sold at Rs80–100 per kg compared to Rs100–120 previously, with the official rate fixed at Rs73–85 per kg. Bitter gourd prices decreased from Rs450 to Rs400 per 5kg, with retail prices ranging from Rs100–120 per kg compared to Rs120–130 previously, while the official rate is Rs97–109 per kg. Green chilli prices increased from Rs300 to Rs400 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs110–130 per kg compared to Rs100–120 previously, while the official rate is Rs97–109 per kg. Taro root prices rose from Rs600 to Rs630 per 5kg, with retail prices ranging from Rs160–180 per kg against the official rate of Rs145–179 per kg.
Cucumber prices declined from Rs300 to Rs250 per 5kg, while in retail they are being sold at Rs80–90 per kg compared to Rs90–110 previously, with the official rate fixed at Rs61–66 per kg. Ridge gourd prices decreased from Rs475 to Rs400 per 5kg in the wholesale market, with retail prices at Rs120–130 per kg compared to Rs130–150 previously, while the official rate is Rs97–109 per kg.
Overall, fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend. Banana prices remained stable at Rs100–230 per dozen. Apple prices also remained stable in the range of Rs220–500 per kg, with white apples available at Rs220 per kg and Kala Kulu apples at Rs500 per kg. Guava prices increased from Rs120–180 to Rs160–220 per kg.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026