ISLAMABAD: Essential Kitchen Item Prices Rise Sharply
A recent survey by Business Recorder, conducted on Saturday, shows a noticeable increase in the prices of essential kitchen items this week compared to the previous week.
The survey found that the price of the best quality wheat flour in the wholesale market increased from Rs1300 to Rs1325 per 15kg bag, and is now being sold at Rs1350 per bag in retail. Normal quality wheat flour went up from Rs1270 to Rs1290 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market and is retailing at Rs1320 per bag.
Tandoor operators and bakery owners in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have started to partially implement the official prices for roti, naan, and paratha. In urban areas, roti is being sold at Rs20, naan at Rs25, and paratha at Rs50, whereas the district administration has set the prices at Rs18 for roti, Rs22 for naan, and Rs50 for paratha. Bakery owners have slightly reduced bread prices, with large bread now at Rs120, down from Rs130, and small bread at Rs80, down from Rs90.
Sugar prices have slightly increased, with the wholesale price rising from Rs6900 to Rs6950 per 50kg bag, and retail prices now at Rs150 per kg. Chicken prices in the wholesale market have also gone up from Rs10,400 to Rs11,200 per 40kg, with retail prices now between Rs310-315 per kg, up from Rs280-290 per kg. Chicken meat prices are now Rs520-530 per kg, up from Rs500-520 per kg. Egg prices have decreased from Rs6,900 to Rs6,600 per carton, with retail prices now at Rs240 per dozen, down from Rs250 per dozen.
Mutton and beef prices remained stable, with mutton at Rs2000 per kg, boneless beef at Rs1200 per kg, and normal beef at Rs1000 per kg. Tea prices have remained unchanged, with Lipton Yellow Label at Rs2200 per 900g pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1800 per kg. Turmeric powder prices rose to Rs800 per kg from Rs700, and red chili powder prices dropped to Rs550 per kg from Rs650.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices have decreased, with the official price at Rs234 per kg, but it is being sold at Rs290 per kg in the market, which is Rs56 higher than the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) price. The OGRA set the 15kg domestic cylinder price at Rs3200, but it is being sold for Rs4500-5000 per cylinder in various parts of the country, reflecting an overcharge of Rs1300-1800 per cylinder.
Prices of branded spices like Shan and National remained unchanged, with a 39g pack available at Rs130. The price of a cooked daal plate at a normal hotel is Rs250, and a cooked vegetable plate is also Rs250.
Rice prices showed mixed trends. The best quality basmati is available at Rs10,000 per 40kg bag in wholesale, retailing at Rs300 per kg, while normal quality basmati is at Rs9000 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs240 per kg. Broken basmati prices decreased from Rs7,900 to Rs7,500 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs200 per kg from Rs225 per kg.
Ghee and cooking oil prices remained stable, with B-grade ghee/oil at Rs5200 per carton of 16 packs in wholesale, retailing at Rs340-350 per pack. Top brands like Dalda ghee are available at Rs2450 per 5kg tin, and cooking oil at Rs2480 per 5-litre bottle.
Pulses saw a price increase, with best quality maash at Rs530 per kg from Rs500, gram pulse at Rs250 from Rs220 per kg, and various varieties of bean lentils in the range of Rs360-560 per kg. Moong is now Rs300 per kg, up from Rs250, and masoor at Rs280 per kg.
Cigarette companies have created an artificial shortage, increasing prices by Rs20-50 per packet ahead of the federal budget, resulting in significant profits for them.
Packed milk prices remained unchanged, with small packs of Milk Pak at Rs75 each. Fresh milk is stable at Rs220 per kg, and yoghurt at Rs250 per kg. Prices of detergents and bathing soaps also remained stable.
Vegetable prices have generally increased. Ginger rose from Rs2700 to Rs3000 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing at Rs650-700 per kg. Local garlic prices went up from Rs1000 to Rs1500 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing at Rs350-400 per kg. Potato, tomato, and onion prices also increased, with potatoes now at Rs60-90 per kg, tomatoes at Rs40-70 per kg, and onions at Rs60-90 per kg.
Capsicum prices rose sharply from Rs500 to Rs1,350 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing at Rs190-230 per kg. Other vegetables showed varying price changes.
Fruit prices showed mixed trends, with apples, bananas, guava, melons, and watermelons showing slight changes. Prices of peaches, falsa, plums, cherries, and loquats also varied.
People from various walks of life expressed concern that despite significant price drops in some vegetables and fruits, retailers are not passing on the full benefit to consumers. They blamed ineffective monitoring by the authorities and urged the government to enforce official price lists strictly and penalize violators.
Business Recorder observed a significant difference between official and market prices, with many retailers not displaying official price lists and failing to provide them on demand. Traders cited rising fuel and utility costs as major factors in price increases, with around 20% attributed to gas and electricity bills, forcing them to increase their margins to cover higher expenses.