A significant increase was noted in prices of food items last week against prices prevalent during the preceding week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder showed on Saturday. The price of petrol shot up by Rs 2.18 per litre, escalating prices of most food and non-food items, besides causing an increase in transportation costs.
Traders and wholesalers in various markets of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad said that prices of most of the essential kitchen items, including fruits, vegetables, sugar, chicken and fresh milk, posted an increase last week. They maintained that sugar was being sold at Rs 56-60 per kilogram last week against Rs 52-53 per kg a week ago, registering an increase of Rs 4-7 per kg. They said that a 2.5-litre tin of cooking oil was currently being sold for Rs 545, vegetable ghee (2.5 kg) for Rs 505, vegetable ghee (loose) Rs 160-165 per kg, wheat flour bag (10kg) was being sold at Rs 355-365 and fresh milk was being sold at Rs 85-100 per litre.
They said that a significant increase in prices of chicken was also witnessed: it was being sold at Rs 150 per kg against Rs 120-127 a week ago, registering an increase of Rs 23-30 per kg, while eggs were being sold at Rs 76 per dozen. The survey noted a significant increase in vegetables prices last week: tomatoes were being sold at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 65 per kg a week ago, reflecting an increase of Rs 5 per kg, onions at Rs 65 per kg against Rs 60 per kg a week ago, registering an increase of Rs 5 per kg, karela was being sold at Rs 100 per kg against Rs 90 per kg last week, registering an increase of Rs 10 per kg, garlic at Rs 205 per kg, ladyfinger was being sold at Rs 70 per kg, Kheera at Rs 45 per kg, and green chili at Rs 45per, potatoes at Rs 45 per kg during the past week against prices prevalent during the preceding week.
A nominal increase in fruit prices was also observed: mango was available at Rs 110-145 per kg against its past week price of Rs 100-140 per kg, watermelon at Rs 40-50 per kg, melon at Rs 65 per kg, banana at Rs 110-130 per dozen last week. However, the survey noted that meat prices remained unchanged last week against the prices in preceding week: mutton was available at 580-600 per kg per kg, while beef was being sold at Rs 280-290 per kg. Meanwhile, prices of the entire range of pulses remained stable last week: Masoor (washed) was being sold at Rs 110-120, Moong (washed) at Rs 125-140 per kg and mash (washed) at Rs 150-160 per kg.
