ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items, especially vegetables and seasonal fruits, witnessed an upward trend during the past week compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed on Saturday.
The survey observed a reduction in chicken prices, which declined from Rs13,200 to Rs12,800 per 40kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, live chicken was being sold at Rs445-460 per kg against Rs355-370 per kg, while chicken meat prices remained stable at Rs530-580 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices increased from Rs6,000 to Rs6,300 per carton containing 30 dozen in the wholesale market, while in retail markets eggs were being sold in the range of Rs240-250 against Rs230-240 per dozen.
Meat prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton available in the range of Rs2,700-2,800 per kg and premium-quality mutton in the range of Rs3,000-3,200 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef was available at Rs1,700 per kg, while mixed beef was being sold at Rs1,500 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also remained stable, with different types of fish available in the range of Rs550-1,000 per kg.
Sugar prices remained stable at Rs7,000 per 50kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs150-160 per kg.
Wheat flour prices increased from Rs1,820 to Rs1,900 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs1,930-1,950 against Rs1,850-1,870 per 15kg bag. Tandoor owners reduced the price of roti from Rs25 to Rs20, while the prices of naan and paratha remained stable at Rs30 and Rs60, respectively. No changes were observed in the prices of bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread was available at Rs150 against Rs140, small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210.
Prices of cooked food items also remained stable, as a plate of cooked dal or vegetables at an ordinary hotel was available at Rs320, a cooked beef plate at Rs550, a cooked chicken plate at Rs500, and cooked mutton at Rs750. Naan and roti were being sold at Rs30 and Rs25, respectively, while a cup of tea was available in the range of Rs70-100.
No changes were witnessed in the prices of branded spices, including Shan and National products, which were available at Rs150 per 39-gram pack.
Ghee and cooking oil prices remained stable, as B-grade ghee/oil was available at Rs6,700 per carton containing 16 packs in the wholesale market. In retail markets, it was being sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack. Meanwhile, prices of premium cooking oil and ghee brands, including Dalda, also remained unchanged at Rs2,850 per 5kg tin in the wholesale market, while in retail markets these products were being sold at Rs3,000 per 5-litre bottle.
Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Rs303 per kg. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers were selling LPG in the range of Rs425-450 per kg against the official rate. Similarly, a domestic cylinder containing 15kg LPG was being sold at Rs6,600 against the official rate of Rs4,560, reflecting overcharging of Rs121-145 per kg and around Rs2,040 per domestic cylinder.
The marketing companies, distributors and retailers were overcharging consumers by Rs75-100 per kg. Consumers complained that OGRA and other relevant authorities, including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers and retailers, were not effectively monitoring the market to enforce official rates, forcing consumers to pay inflated prices.
Prices of various rice varieties remained stable during the week. Premium-quality basmati rice was available at Rs13,000 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs380 per kg. Normal-quality basmati rice was available at Rs11,500 per 40kg bag, which retailed at Rs340 per kg.
Good-quality broken basmati rice was available at Rs8,700 per 40kg bag and was being sold in retail markets at Rs260 per kg. Meanwhile, ordinary rice varieties were available in the range of Rs6,500-7,000 per 40kg bag, while retail prices ranged between Rs160 and Rs210 per kg.
Tea prices remained stable, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea was available at Rs1,700 per kg. Turmeric powder prices in the wholesale market declined from Rs650 to Rs600 per kg, while retailers were selling it in the range of Rs800-850 against Rs850-950 per kg previously.
Red chilli powder prices dropped from Rs700 to Rs600 per kg in the wholesale market, while retailers were selling it at Rs800-850 against Rs850-950 per kg.
Pulse prices remained unchanged, with mash pulse available at Rs14,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market and retailing in the range of Rs440-490 per kg. Gram pulse was available at Rs9,000 per 40kg and retailed at Rs250-260 per kg. Premium-quality whole gram was available at Rs9,600 per 40kg and sold in retail markets in the range of Rs270-290 per kg, while ordinary gram pulse was available at Rs250 per kg. Different varieties of bean lentils were available in the range of Rs15,200-18,100 per 40kg bag, while retail prices ranged from Rs430 to Rs550 per kg. Moong pulse was available at Rs12,000 per 40kg and retailed at Rs330 per kg, while masoor pulse was available at Rs9,000 per 40kg and sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets.
Prices of packed milk brands, including Milk Pak and Olpers, remained largely stable, as a carton of one-litre packs was available at Rs4,200, while a one-litre pack retailed at Rs370. The price of a carton containing 250ml milk packs declined from Rs2,550 to Rs2,500, while in retail markets a 250ml pack was being sold at Rs100. Fresh milk prices in some areas of the twin cities increased to Rs250 per litre, while in other areas it continued to be sold at Rs240 per litre. Yogurt prices remained stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido milk powder was available at Rs1,100 against Rs1,350 previously; while a 200-gram pack was being sold at Rs750.
Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable, with Safeguard family-size soap available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands were available at Rs180 per pack. Detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf Excel, Brite and Express Power, also remained stable at Rs580 per kg pack.
Prices of soft drink brands such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Mirinda remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
Overall, vegetable prices witnessed an increasing trend during the week. Potato prices slightly declined from Rs1,000-1,300 to Rs900-1,200 per quintal in the wholesale market, while retailers were selling potatoes in the range of Rs40-50 per kg against the official price of Rs20-26 per kg. Onion prices increased in both wholesale and retail markets. In the wholesale market, onions were being sold at Rs3,500-6,200 against Rs3,300-5,800 per quintal previously, while in retail markets they were available in the range of Rs70-90 against Rs65-80 per kg. The official price was fixed at Rs48-79 per kg. Tomato prices also increased from Rs450 to Rs550 per 15kg basket in the wholesale market. In retail markets, tomatoes were being sold in the range of Rs50-75 against Rs40-80 per kg previously, while the official price was fixed at Rs36-69 per kg. Ginger prices remained stable at Rs1,200 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs400-450 per kg against the official rate of Rs303-375 per kg. Garlic prices witnessed an increasing trend, as local garlic was available at Rs475 against Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs160-189 against Rs150-180 per kg. The official rate for local garlic was fixed at Rs132-169 per kg. Quetta garlic prices increased from Rs1,150 to Rs1,250 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs350-400 per kg against the official rate of Rs303-351 per kg. Meanwhile, China garlic prices declined from Rs1,700 to Rs1,550 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, it was being sold in the range of Rs500-550 against Rs550-600 per kg previously, while the official rate was fixed at Rs327-388 per kg. However, consumers complained that a majority of vendors were selling local garlic in the name of China garlic to maximise their profits.
Capsicum prices increased from Rs250 to Rs350 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs90-100 against Rs80-90 per kg previously. The official price was fixed at Rs85-97 per kg. Prices of various pumpkin varieties declined from Rs200-350 to Rs175-250 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets they were being sold in the range of Rs60-90 against Rs65-100 per kg previously. The official price was fixed at Rs55-67 per kg.
Prices of different varieties of tinda increased from Rs300-800 to Rs350-850 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, it was being sold in the range of Rs100-260 against Rs90-250 per kg previously, while the official rate was fixed at Rs194-242 per kg. Eggplant prices increased from Rs230 to Rs300 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs80-90 against Rs75-85 per kg previously. The official price was fixed at Rs67-73 per kg. Cauliflower prices rose from Rs400 to Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs130-150 against Rs110-130 per kg. The official price was fixed at Rs121-132 per kg.
Turnip prices increased from Rs220 to Rs275 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs80-90 against Rs70-80 per kg previously. The official rate was fixed at Rs67-73 per kg. Cabbage prices surged from Rs180 to Rs350 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs80-100 against Rs65-75 per kg previously. The official rate was fixed at Rs73-85 per kg. Fresh bean prices increased from Rs450 to Rs475 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs130-160 per kg. The official rate was fixed at Rs121-132 per kg.
Pea prices declined from Rs850 to Rs750 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets they were being sold in the range of Rs175-200 against Rs200-220 per kg previously. The official rate was fixed at Rs153-182 per kg. Okra prices increased from Rs350 to Rs375 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs110-140 per kg. The official rate was fixed at Rs97-109 per kg.
Carrot prices increased from Rs300 to Rs350 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs90-110 against Rs80-100 per kg previously. The official price was fixed at Rs85-97 per kg. Bitter gourd prices remained stable at Rs400 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs100-120 per kg. The official price was fixed at Rs97-109 per kg.
Green chilli prices also remained stable at Rs300 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs100-120 per kg. The official price was fixed at Rs73-85 per kg. Taro root prices increased from Rs630 to Rs750 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs180-240 against Rs160-180 per kg previously. The official rate was fixed at Rs169-212 per kg. Cucumber prices remained stable at Rs150 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs60-75 per kg. The official price was fixed at Rs43-48 per kg.
Ridge gourd prices also remained stable at Rs350 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold in the range of Rs110-120 per kg. The official rate was fixed at Rs73-85 per kg. The official rate list is issued in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, allowing a profit margin of Rs10-20 per kg for sellers near wholesale markets, Rs15-30 per kg for vendors in most parts of the capital, and Rs20-40 per kg for sellers in posh areas. Consumers complained that vendors, pushcart operators, and shopkeepers were not following the official price list.
Overall, fruit prices witnessed an increasing trend during the week. Banana prices increased from Rs100-230 to Rs110-250 per dozen, while prices of various apple varieties also rose from Rs220-500 to Rs230-550 per kg. White apples were available at Rs230 per kg, making them the cheapest variety, while Pakistani Kala Kulu apples were being sold at Rs550 per kg, making them the most expensive.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026