A manifold increase in prices of important kitchen items, like pulses, vegetable, chicken, sugar, fruits, flour was witnessed ahead of the holy month of Ramazan in retail market, according to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.
In a visit to local market in provincial capital here, it was observed a sudden increase in price of daily use items have worried the buyers. A huge rush of buyers seen in Sunday bazaars and markets, but they complained about 'sky-high' prices of daily use items before the beginning of the holy month. They urged the authorities to take action against profiteers and hoarders and control the rates of food commodities in the holy month.
Prices of chicken meat have touched new peak in retail market as available at Rs 186 per kg. A dozen of farm eggs are being sold at Rs 90-100 in retail market. Gram flour (baisen) is commonly used in Ramadan, has become costlier as available at Rs 140 per kg, which was selling at Rs 110 per kg in the previous week, the survey noticed.
Sugar price also increased in retail market as available at Rs 55 per kg against the Rs 53 in the last week. According to the survey, good quality rice (sela) is being sold at Rs 140 per kg, while toota rice available at Rs 80 per kg in retail market. Price of dal chilka black has increased at Rs 200 per kg, which was selling at Rs 140 per kg.
The retail price of dal mash has gone up at Rs 160 per kg from the price of Rs 140, while rate of dal channa also increased as available at Rs 140 per kg, which was selling at Rs 120 per kg in the previous week, the survey observed. It further said a modest increase was witnessed in price of dhoti dal in retail market, as available at Rs 140 per kg, against the price of Rs 120 per kg in the previous week.
The survey further witnessed that price of big white channa has increased at Rs 180 per kg from Rs 170 per kg in retail market, while price of white lobiya also went up at Rs 140 per kg against Rs 120 per kg in previous week. Likewise, dal green chilka is being sold at Rs 140 per kg, which was selling at Rs 130 per kg in last week. Red bean is being sold at Rs 140 per kg, dal masoor at Rs 140 per kg in retail market.
Rs 5 to Rs 10 per litre increase in price of cooking oil/ghee was registered in retail market as available within range of Rs 130-150-165 per kg/litre, while the retail price of ghee within range of Rs 165, Rs 170 and Rs 185 per kg. A sizeable increase in prices of vegetable was witnessed in retail market. Price of ginger has increased at Rs 200 per kg, which was selling at Rs 160 per kg during the previous week. Garlic is available at Rs 100 per kg. Price of tomato was remained unchanged as being sold at Rs 40 per kg, while onion is being sold at Rs 30-40 per kg in retail market.
Cabbage price varies between Rs 40-50 per kg while cucumber price also hovers between Rs 30-40 per kg. Cauliflower is being sold at Rs 40-50 per kg by various retailers while apple gourd, bottle gourd and ridge gourd prices range between Rs 40 and Rs 50 per kg. The price of lady finger in off season is tagged at Rs 80 per kg.
Peas (old and new varieties) are being sold for Rs 40-50 per kg and Rs 60-80 per kg, while capsicum is being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg. Arvi is being sold at Rs 50-60 per kg. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs 110 per litre, while yogurt available at Rs 110-120 per kilo in local market. Cow meat is being sold at Rs 350-400 per kilo, while beef available at Rs 700-750 per kilo in retail market.