A slight increase in prices of rice, vegetable and chicken meat, flour and others was witnessed in retail market in preceding week as compared to last week, according to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday. New quality rice (sela) is available at Rs160 per kilogram, while old rice (sela) priced at Rs145 per kilogram, showing an increase of Rs20 per kg in retail market. Similarly, good quality tota rice is being sold at Rs80 per kilogram against the Rs70 per kg in previous week. However, the survey noticed that prices of other food grains were remained stable in retail market.
Dal channa is being sold at Rs110 per kg, dal mash at Rs120 per kg, Dal green chilka at Rs130 per kg, dal black chilka at Rs120 per kg, white lobiya at Rs120 per kg, red bean at Rs120 per kg, dhoti dal at Rs90, moong is being sold at Rs120 per kg. Prices of all brands of cooking oil/ghee were remained unchanged in retail market as available within range of Rs120 per kg/liter to Rs180 per kg/litre. A one-kilogram sugar is being sold at Rs52 in retail market.
Chicken meat is being available at Rs180 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs170 per kilogram in last week, showing an increase of Rs10 per kg in retail market, the survey said. However, the price of farm eggs was remained stable as available at Rs100 and Rs90 in the retail market.
Similarly, a ten rupee was increased in price of gram flour (baisen) in retail market, which is available at Rs120 per kilogram. White big-size channa is being sold at Rs180 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs170 per kg in previous week. Wholesale prices of many vegetables, including tomato, onions, potato, have considerably decreased, many retailers are still fleecing consumers by overcharging, the survey noticed. A persistent increase in the diesel price from the third quarter of 2017 has resulted in a higher transportation cost, but it did not impact the wholesale and retail prices because of an oversupply situation in various crops.
Seasonal pushcart vendors are selling five kilograms of tomatoes at Rs120 per kilogram or Rs20 per-kilo, as compared to compared to Rs30-40 per kilo charged by regular vegetable sellers. Similarly, vendors are selling onion in retail market at Rs40 per kilogram, while pushcart vendors are sold at Rs20-30 per kilo. Around 5kg potato is being sold at Rs100, while regular dealers are demanding Rs30-40 per kg. Onion price is tagged at Rs30 per kg while the seasonal retailers sell 2.5-3 kg onion at Rs50.
Regular retailers said pushcart retailers were procuring low-quality vegetables. Cabbage price varies between Rs40-50 per kg while cucumber price also hovers between Rs30-40 per kg. Cauliflower is sold at Rs30 per kg by various retailers while apple gourd, bottle gourd and ridge gourd prices range between Rs40 and Rs50 per kg.
The price of per kg lady finger in off season is tagged at Rs100-120. Ginger and garlic are available at Rs150-200 depending on the quality. Peas (old and new varieties) are being sold for Rs40-50 per kg and Rs60-80 per kg, while capsicum is being sold at Rs50-60 per kg. Arvi is being sold at Rs50-60 per kg. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs110 per litre, while yogurt available at Rs110-120 per kilo in local market. Cow meat is being sold at Rs350-400 per kilo, while beef available at Rs700-750 per kilo in retail market.