Essential kitchen items' prices remain stable

ISLAMABAD: Prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained stable sans any significant change during the last week as compared to the preceding week, reveals a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Saturday.

Traders and wholesalers in different markets of Rawalpindi/Islamabad said that prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained unchanged last week and no significant decline or increase was observed in the prices. However, vegetables and some fruits price registered a slight decline. Traders attributed the decline in vegetables and fruits prices to more supply.

Rice prices remained on high side, as broken rice was available at Rs 75 against Rs 70 in different markets. Similarly, Basmati depending on quality was available at Rs 100-120 per kg with an increase of Rs 5 per kg, while Super Carnel was available at Rs 125 per kg. Sugar was available at Rs 57-58 per kg in different markets of the twin cities without a significant change.

Prices of entire range of pulses remained on high side during the past week, as Mash was available at Rs 155-160 per kg, Moong at Rs 120 per kg, Masoor at Rs 125 per kg, Channa at Rs 100 and Lobia at Rs 100 per kg. Ghee/cooking oil prices remained unchanged during last week as different brands of cooking oil/ghee were available at Rs 185 to Rs 210 per kg/litre.

Cucumber price increased, as it was available at Rs 20 per kg against Rs 10 per kg last week. Green chili was available at Rs 80 per kg, while lemon at Rs 120 per kg. During the week past, ginger and garlic prices registered an increase of Rs 40 per kg each, while lemon Rs 20 per kg due to increase in demand.

Carrot was available at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 30 per kg last week. Tomato was available at Rs 10-15 against Rs 15-20 per kg, onion at Rs 20-25 against Rs 30 per kg, brinjal at Rs 20 against Rs 25 per kg, Karela at Rs 40 against Rs 50 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 40 against Rs 45 per kg, Shimla Mirch at Rs 100 per kg, potato at Rs 25 per kg against Rs 30 per kg, Arvi at Rs 80 per kg without any change and Tinda at Rs 20 against Rs 25 per kg during the week under review as compared to the preceding week.

A slight decline was also observed in some fruits prices. Mango was available at Rs 50-60 per kg against Rs 60-70 per kg, melon was available at Rs 20-25 per kg against Rs 25-30 per kg and water melon at Rs 15-20 per kg against Rs 20 per kg during the past week as compared to the preceding week. Dark red and golden apple was available at Rs 170 to Rs 220 per kg depending on quality, Indian banana at Rs 180 to Rs 200 and Pakistani banana at Rs 80 to Rs 100 per dozen without any significant change during the past week as compared to the preceding week.