ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items witnessed a downward trend during the last week compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed on Saturday.
According to traders, a number of factors, including a reduction in petroleum prices, seasonal demand and supply fluctuations, and the impact of Eid-ul-Adha on the prices of vegetables and chicken, contributed to the reduction in prices of essential kitchen items.
The survey observed no change in chicken prices, as live chicken remained stable at Rs 12,200 per 40kg in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs445-460 per kg. Chicken meat prices also remained stable at Rs530-580 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices increased from Rs 6,300 to Rs 6,500 per carton containing 30 dozen in the wholesale market, while in retail markets, eggs were being sold in the range of Rs240-250 per dozen.
Meat prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton available at Rs 2,700-2,800 per kg and premium-quality mutton at Rs 3,000-3,200 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef was available at Rs 1,700 per kg, while mixed beef was being sold at Rs 1,500 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 Rs 7,000 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets and were being sold in retail markets at Rs150-160 per kg.
Wheat flour prices declined from Rs 1,900 to Rs 1,850 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail markets it was being sold at Rs 1,880-1,900 per 15kg bag compared to Rs 1,930-1,950 per 15kg bag last week.
Prices of roti, naan and paratha remained unchanged, with roti being sold at Rs20, naan at Rs30 and paratha at Rs60. No changes were observed in bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread was available at Rs150 compared to Rs140 last week; small-sized bread at Rs110 and family-sized bread at Rs210.
Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A plate of cooked dal or vegetables at an ordinary hotel was available at Rs320, a beef plate at Rs550, a chicken plate at Rs500 and a mutton plate 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 such as Shan, National and others, which were available at around Rs150 per 39-gram pack.
Ghee and cooking oil prices remained largely stable. B-grade ghee and cooking oil were available at Rs 6,700 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack in retail markets. However, the price of premium brands, including Dalda ghee, increased from Rs 2,850 to Rs 2,900 per 5kg tin, while retail prices stood at around Rs 3,000 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, well above the official rate. The price of a domestic cylinder containing 15kg of LPG marginally declined from Rs 6,600 to Rs 6,400, but remained Rs 1,840 higher than the official price of Rs 4,560.
The situation indicates that LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are overcharging consumers by Rs122-147 per kg and around Rs 1,840 per 15kg domestic cylinder. Despite the involvement of relevant authorities, including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars and representatives of traders, farmers and retailers, effective market monitoring and enforcement of official rates remain lacking. As a result, consumers have continued to pay inflated prices over the past eight years.
The prices of various rice varieties remained stable during the week. Premium-quality basmati rice was available at Rs 13,000 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market and was being sold at Rs380 per kg in retail markets. Normal-quality basmati rice was available at Rs 11,500 per 40kg bag and Rs340 per kg in retail. Good-quality broken basmati rice was being sold at Rs 8,700 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market and Rs260 per kg in retail, while ordinary rice varieties were available at Rs 6,500-7,000 per 40kg bag and was being sold at Rs160-210 per kg in retail markets.
Tea prices remained stable, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs 2,000 per 900-gram pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs 1,700 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 per kg compared to Rs850-950 per kg last week.
Similarly, red chilli powder prices fell from Rs700 to Rs600 per kg in the wholesale market, while retail prices stood at Rs800-850 per kg against Rs850-950 per kg a week earlier.
Pulse prices witnessed a slight decline. Maash pulse prices in the wholesale market dropped from Rs 14,000 to Rs 13,500 per 40kg bag and were being sold in retail markets at Rs420-450 per kg compared to Rs440-490 per kg last week. Gram pulse prices declined from Rs 9,000 to Rs 8,500 per 40kg bag and were available in retail markets at Rs250-260 per kg. The price of premium-quality whole gram decreased from Rs 9,600 to Rs 9,200 per 40kg bag and was being sold at Rs270-290 per kg in retail markets. Prices of various bean lentil varieties declined from Rs 15,200-18,100 to Rs 15,200-17,200 per 40kg bag and were available in retail markets at Rs410-520 per kg compared to Rs430-550 per kg last week. Moong pulse remained stable at Rs 12,000 per 40kg bag and was available at Rs330 per kg in retail markets, while masoor pulse prices fell from Rs 9,000 to Rs 8,300 per 40kg bag and were being sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets.
Prices of packed milk brands, including Milk Pak, Olpers and others, remained unchanged. A carton of one-litre packs was available at Rs 4,200, while a one-litre pack was being sold at Rs370 in retail markets. A carton of 250ml packs was available at Rs 2,500, while individual 250ml packs were being sold at Rs100 each. Fresh milk in most parts of the twin cities was available at Rs250 per litre, while in some upscale sectors it was being sold in the range of Rs260-280 per litre. Yogurt was available at Rs250 per kg in most areas, while in upscale sectors it was being sold at Rs280-300 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido was available at Rs 1,100 compared to Rs 1,350 previously, while a 200-gram pack was being sold at Rs750.
Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable. Safeguard family-size soap was available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands were being sold at around Rs180 per pack. Detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite, Express Power and other brands, also remained unchanged, with a one-kilogram pack available at Rs580.
Prices of soft drink brands like Pepsi, Coke, Mirinda, and others remained stable, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.
Overall, vegetable prices witnessed a declining trend during the week. Potato prices slightly decreased from Rs 1,000-1,300 to Rs900-1,200 per quintal in the wholesale market, while retailers were selling potatoes at Rs40-50 per kg against the official rate of Rs19-26 per kg. Onion prices also declined, with wholesale rates falling to Rs 3,400-6,000 per quintal from Rs 3,500-6,200 per quintal. In retail markets, onions were being sold at Rs70-90 per kg against the official rate of Rs44-73 per kg. Tomato prices remained stable at Rs550 per 15kg basket in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs50-75 per kg in retail markets, while the official rate stood at Rs44-70 per kg.
Ginger prices remained stable at Rs 1,200 per 5kg in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs400-450 per kg in retail markets against the official rate of Rs308-348 per kg. Garlic prices witnessed a reduction. Local garlic was available at Rs450 per 5kg compared to Rs475 per 5kg last week and was being sold at Rs150-180 per kg in retail markets against Rs160-190 per kg previously, while the official rate stood at Rs121-154 per kg. Quetta garlic prices declined from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,150 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs350-400 per kg in retail markets against the official rate of Rs253-297 per kg. Chinese garlic prices fell from Rs 1,550 to Rs 1,500 per 5kg in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs500-550 per kg in retail markets against the official rate of Rs330-358 per kg. However, according to market sources, many vendors continue to sell local garlic as Chinese garlic to earn higher profits.
Capsicum prices declined from Rs350 to Rs320 per 5kg in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs90-100 per kg in retail markets against the official rate of Rs77-88 per kg. Prices of various pumpkin varieties decreased from Rs175-250 to Rs150-200 per 5kg in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs55-75 per kg in retail markets against Rs60-90 per kg last week, while the official rate stood at Rs55-61 per kg.
Prices of various tinda varieties fell from Rs350-850 to Rs250-650 per 5kg in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs80-190 per kg in retail markets against Rs100-260 per kg last week, while the official rate stood at Rs143-165 per kg. Eggplant prices declined from Rs300 to Rs250 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs70-80 per kg in retail markets against Rs80-90 per kg last week, while the official rate was Rs61-66 per kg.
Cauliflower prices remained stable at Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market and were being sold at Rs130-150 per kg in retail markets against the official rate of Rs121-143 per kg. Turnip prices declined from Rs275 to Rs225 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs70-80 per kg in retail markets against Rs80-90 per kg last week, while the official rate stood at Rs61-66 per kg. Cabbage prices fell from Rs350 to Rs200 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs70-80 per kg in retail markets against Rs80-100 per kg previously, while the official rate was Rs55-61 per kg.
Fresh bean prices declined from Rs475 to Rs425 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs130-160 per kg in retail markets against the official rate of Rs110-121 per kg. Pea prices fell from Rs750 to Rs550 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs150-170 per kg in retail markets against Rs175-200 per kg last week, while the official rate stood at Rs121-143 per kg.
Okra prices decreased from Rs375 to Rs250 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs75-90 per kg in retail markets against Rs110-140 per kg last week, while the official rate was Rs66-77 per kg. Carrot prices declined from Rs350 to Rs320 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs90-100 per kg against Rs90-110 per kg last week, while the official rate stood at Rs77-88 per kg. Bitter gourd prices fell from Rs400 to Rs350 per 5kg and were being sold at Rs90-100 per kg in retail markets against Rs100-120 per kg last week, while the official rate was Rs88-99 per kg.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026