A steep increased was recorded in the prices of essential kitchen items particularly spices and vegetables on the eve of Eidul Azha while it was expected that prices of tomatoes, green chili, Cliantro – Dhania, onions would increase 100 percent on the Eid day, revels a survey conducted byBusiness Recorder here on Tuesday.
Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad told Business Recorder that tomatoes were being sold at Rs 100 per kg, onion at Rs 90 per kg, green chili at Rs 170, Cliantro – Dhania at Rs 100 per bundle garlic at Rs 200-230 per kg, adding that vegetables prices would increase significantly on the Eid day.
They maintained that Sabzi Mandi would remain closed on Eid holidays for about three days from October 16 to October 18, causing shortage of vegetables in the twin cities. They said that vegetable vendors would charge prices of their choice during the Eid holidays. Meanwhile, considerable increase was noted in fruits prices on the eve of Eidul Azha, as banana was available at Rs 90-130 per dozen against Rs 80-120 per dozen last Saturday, registering an increase of Rs 10 per dozen, apple at Rs 110-220 per kg against Rs 100-200 per kg last Saturday, reflecting an increase of Rs 10-20 per kg, grapes at Rs 230-350 per kg against Rs 200-300 last Saturday, reflecting an increase of Rs 30-50 per kg.
The survey noted that non-perishable food items, prices of which remained stable on the eve of the Eidul Azha include: pulses, rice Basmati broken, as Masoor washed was available at Rs 120-130, Moong washed at Rs 130-150 per kg and Mash washed at Rs 140-160 per kg, basmati rice broken was being sold at Rs 90 per kg.