The reduction in petroleum products prices left positive impact on daily use food items, as prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week with the exception of slight increase in cooking oil prices, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday.
Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad told Business Recorder that transportation cost has been cut down by the transporters due to the reduction in petroleum products prices, which left positive impact on all perishable and non-perishable food items being transported to the markets of the twin cities from other parts of the country. The survey noted slight increase in cooking oil prices last week as compared to the preceding week as a tin of cooking oil (2.5 litres) was available at Rs 545 against Rs 535 last week, reflecting an increase of Rs 10 each tin, while vegetable ghee prices remained stable as (2.5kg) vegetable ghee tin was available at Rs 505 and vegetable ghee (loose) was available at Rs 160-165 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week.
The survey noted that vegetables prices remain unchanged last week as compared to the preceding week as tomatoes were being sold at Rs 70, onions at Rs 65 per kg, potatoes at Rs 40 per kg. During the week under review karela was available at Rs 85 per kg, garlic at Rs 205 per kg, lemon at Rs 200 per kg and ginger at Rs 240 per kg. During the week under review, the fruit prices also remained stable as apples were being sold at Rs 125 kg, guava at Rs 70 per kg, melon at Rs 60 per kg, watermelon at Rs 30-40 per kg and strawberry at Rs 200-250 per kg.
The survey noted that meat prices, including chicken remained unchanged last week as compared to the preceding week, as mutton was available at 580-597 per kg per kg, beef was being sold at Rs 280-290 per kg and live chicken was being sold at Rs 130-135 per kg, while chicken meat was available at Rs 230 per kg.
Prices of entire range of pluses also remained stable last week as compared to the preceding week, as Masoor washed was available at Rs 110-115, Moong washed at Rs 125-140 per kg and mash washed at Rs 150-160 per kg. Basmati rice broken was being sold at Rs 80-85 per kg, while colonel rice was available at Rs 130 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week. Meanwhile, 20 kg wheat flour bag was available at Rs 670-700 and fresh milk was being sold at Rs 75-80 per liter last week as compared to the preceding week.
