A sharp rise in prices of important kitchen items like pulses, vegetable, chicken meat, cow meat, dates, fruits, beverages, sugar and others was witnessed in retail market since beginning of the holy month of Ramazan. A survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday, it was noticed that prices of almost all daily use food commodities have increased manifold, completely beyond the purchasing power of common man.
Buyers have urged the authorities concerned to take immediate notice of the artificial 'price hike' and ensure implementation of the official price rates with true letter and spirit in all markets and bazaars in the city.
With the advent of Ramazan, the prices of grocery items have significantly increased in retail market while wholesale prices are still stable. Five kilogram of gram flour (baisen) is being sold at Rs 575 or Rs 115 per kilo while it was priced at Rs 130-140 per kilo or Rs 700 per five kilogram in the retail market. A one-kilogram dates being sold within range of Rs 240-300 and Rs 400 per kilogram in retail market.
Likewise, good quality rice (sela) is available at Rs 140 per kilogram in retail market, but the wholesale rate price is Rs 130 per kilogram. Tota rice being sold at Rs80 per kilo in retail market.
Big-size white chana is available at Rs 180 per kilogram in retail market, while it was priced at Rs 150 per kilogram or Rs 750 (five kilogram) in wholesale market. Dal mash is being sold at Rs 115 per kilogram in wholesale market, while the retail price is Rs 130 per kilogram.
White lobiya is being sold at Rs 110 in wholesale market, while the retail price of the commodity is Rs 130 per kilo. Malika masoor dal is being at Rs 90 per kilogram in retail market, while in wholesale market, it was available at Rs 70 per kilogram.
Dhoti dal is being sold at Rs 90 per kilogram in wholesale, while in retail market, it is available at Rs 110 per kilo. Moong is being sold at Rs 120 per kilogram in retail market, while it's available at Rs 100 per kilo in wholesale market.
Similarly, the red bean (Tajikistan) is being sold at Rs 130 per kilogram while the wholesale rate is Rs 140 per kilogram. Dal green chilka is available at Rs 120 per kilogram in retail market, while Dal chilka black being sold at Rs 130 per kilogram in wholesale market. The survey noticed that the price of chicken meat has touched new peak in retail market as available at Rs 198 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs 187 per kilogram in the previous week. A dozen of farm eggs are being sold at Rs 100 and Rs 110.
Prices of beef have gone up to Rs 400 per kilogram which was being sold at Rs 300 and Rs 320 per kg before Ramazan, while mutton was available at Rs 700-750 per kg in retail market.
Sugar price went up to Rs 56 per kilo against the Rs 53 per kilogram in the previous week, the survey noticed.
A considerable increase in prices of almost all veggies was witnessed in retail market. One-kilogram ginger is being sold at Rs 250 which was selling at Rs 200 before Ramazan. Garlic is being sold at Rs 100 per kilogram, onion Rs 40 per kilogram, and tomatoes are being sold at Rs 40 per kg.
Prices of peas are increased manifold in retail market as available at Rs 200 per kilogram. Cabbage price varies between Rs 40-50 per kg while cucumber price also hovers between Rs 30-40 per kg. Cauliflower is 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 per kg lady finger in off season is tagged at Rs80, 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 110-120 per litre, while yogurt available at Rs 110-120 per kilo in local market.
Fruit is staple food, which demand has increased in the holy month of Ramazan, but the prices of the fruits are beyond the purchasing power of the common as it touched new heights in the holy month.
Red colour Chinese apple is available at Rs 250 and Rs 300 per kilogram, light green colour apples are available at Rs 150-180 per kilogram. Price of banana almost doubled in retail market as available at Rs 120 and Rs 150 which was selling at Rs 70 per dozen before start of the holy month.