Though prices of some vegetables decreased during the week past as compared to the preceding week, rates of flour, pulses, spices and rice registered a significant increase, reveals a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad revealed that due to sufficient supply, the demand-supply gap narrowed which resulted in easing vegetables prices.
They further maintained that pulses prices registered a significant increase during the week past. Price of entire range of pulses including mash washed moong, masoor and beans has gone up by Rs 8-10 per kg. Further shortage of flour was observed in some markets of the twin cities, it was being sold at Rs 830 per 20 kg bag against the government fixed price of Rs 790, wherever it was available. Similarly, rice prices each of Basmati and Supper colonel increased by Rs 5-10 respectively the week past as compared to the preceding week.
The survey noted a significant decline in vegetables prices past week as compared to the previous week. Tomatoes, which were being sold at Rs 150-180 per kg one week ago was now available at Rs 110-120 per kg, onions was available at Rs 75-80 per kg against Rs 90-100 per kg, potatoes at Rs 60-70 per kg against Rs 90-100 per kg, cabbage at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 90 per kg, peas at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 160 per kg, carrot at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 150 per kg, radish at Rs 70-80 per kg against Rs 100 per kg, arvi at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 70 per kg, cucumber at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 65-70 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 130-150 per kg and shimla mirch was being sold at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 180 per kg during the week past as compared to the preceding week.
Eggs were being sold at Rs 120 per dozen against Rs 150 per dozen, reflecting a decline of Rs 30 per dozen during the week past as compared to the preceding week. Further chicken was available at Rs 150-160 per kg in different markets against Rs 170-180 per kg. Sugar, gur and ghee/cocking oil prices remained stable in the week past as compared to the preceding week.
The survey noted a mix trend in fruit prices as some prices increased while other registered a slight decline during the week past as compared to the preceding week. Apple was available at 120-180 against Rs 130-200 per kg depending on quality, banana prices registered increase as it was being sold at Rs 60-120 per dozen against Rs 50-100 per dozen, grapes were available at Rs 200-300 per kg and guava at Rs 60-80 per kg last week without any significant change as compared to the preceding week.