Prices of almost all essential kitchen items, particularly perishable commodities remained on the high end even after Eidul Azha, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday. A record increase was witnessed in the prices of vegetables, including tomatoes, green chilli, onions and cucumber while considerable increase was also witnessed in the prices of fresh milk and curd last week as compared to the preceding week.
Tomato was begin sold at Rs 150-170 per kg , green chilli at Rs 200 per kg, cucumber at Rs 120-150 per kg, onion was being sold at Rs 110 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week. The survey noted that the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad were facing acute shortage of vegetables nowadays following the closure of vegetable markets for three days on the eve of Eidul Azha, however the vegetable markets in the twin cities opened partially on Saturday.
The survey also noted that majority of shops, including grocery stores, vegetable shops, bakeries and small hotels and restaurants also remained closed on Saturday. Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities told Business Recorder that impact of recent hike in the prices of vegetables would continue in the coming days.
They added that steep increase was also witnessed in the prices of fresh milk and curd as fresh milk was available at Rs 110 per litre while curd was being sold at Rs 115 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week. Considerable increase was also noted in fruits prices last week as compared to the preceding week, as banana was available at Rs 100-140 per dozen against Rs 80-120 per dozen last week, registering an increase of Rs 20 per dozen, apple at Rs 100-250 against Rs 100-200 per kg.
