The prices of vegetables increased in September as compared with August – onions up 14 percent, tomatoes (12 percent) and potatoes (6 percent), a Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) report says. The report released on Thursday said the July-September 2012 quarter saw a continuous increase in vegetable prices.
FAFEN Retail Price Monitors visited 188 retail outlets in 107 districts to gather data on prices of 52 commodities. The statistics show 29 commodities registered a price hike in September; nine decreased and 11 remained constant. Like the preceding month, fruit prices fell in the observed period – bananas (36 percent), dark red apples (27 percent) and golden apples (24 percent).
The prices of rice varieties went down too, by 1 percent but those of most pulses remained unchanged. However, red and white beans increased 2 percent and 1 percent while washed moong pulse declined 2 percent. Among poultry and meat products, farm eggs went up 12 percent, and beef and mutton (2 percent). However, chicken live and chicken meat saw a 14 percent and 11 percent decline in prices.
In the spices and condiments category prices of all items increased except for ginger that fell 1 percent. Garlic went up 6 percent, turmeric (3 percent), salt powder (2 percent) and red chili powder (1 percent). Cooked items registered a price hike – plain chapatti up 3 percent, and plates of cooked dal, beef and vegetables 1 percent each. However, a cup of hot tea fell 3 percent. The prices of wheat flour (5 percent), wheat grain (4 percent) and desi shaker (4 percent) also increased but those of gur and sugar remained unchanged.
Similarly, all kitchen fuels including LPG, kerosene oil and firewood saw an increase in prices by 9 percent, 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively. On the medicines and medical services side, cost of blood sugar and urine tests (routine examination) increased 2 percent each and price of Panadol (10-tablets) rose 1 percent. However, cost of blood test (complete picture) decreased 1 percent.
