ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Prices of most of essential kitchen items were found to be stable excluding chicken which registered an increase of Rs 1,600 per 40 kg from Rs 4,800 per 40 kg to Rs 6,400 per 40 kg during this past week compared to preceding week, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday.

According to survey, chicken price in the wholesale market went up from Rs 4,800 per 40 kg to Rs 6,400 per 40 kg which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 170 per kg against Rs 140 per kg, while chicken meat price was registered at Rs 280 per kg from Rs 230 per kg.

Egg price witnesses an increase of Rs 10 per dozen from Rs 85 per dozen to Rs 95 per dozen which are being sold at Rs 100 per dozen against Rs 90 per dozen.

According to survey, there was no change in potatoes price as best quality potatoes are available at Rs 170 per 5 kg while normal quality at Rs 120 per 5 kg, which in the retail market are being sold at Rs 35/40 per kg.

Onions price went up from Rs 2,100 per quintal to Rs 2,200 per quintal, which in the retail market are being sold at Rs 30/35 per kg. Tomatoes price in the wholesale market reduced by Rs 65 per 5 kg from Rs 240 per 5 kg to Rs 175 per 5 kg which in the retail market are being sold at Rs 45 per against Rs 60 per kg.

Ginger price witnessed no change and is being sold at Rs 450 per 5 kg in the wholesale market which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 110 per kg, garlic was found to be stable at Rs 1,300 per 5 kg which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 300 per kg.

According to survey, brinjal price was registered as stable at Rs 300 per 5 kg which in the retail market is available at Rs 70 per kg and carrot at Rs 300 per 5 kg which in the retail market is being sold Rs 70 per. Cucumber price remained stable at Rs 300 per kg which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 70 per kg.

Peas price witnessed a further increase from Rs 700 per 5 kg to Rs 850 per 5 kg which in the retail market are being sold at Rs 190 per kg against Rs 160 per kg, bean price in the wholesale market went up from Rs 300 per 5 kg to Rs 325 per kg which in the retail market are being sold at Rs 90 per kg against Rs 80 per kg.

Maru kadu is available at Rs 240 per 5 kg, which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 60 per kg, Karaila price was found to be stable at Rs 450 per 5 kg which is being sold at Rs 110 per kg, good quality tinda is available at Rs 480 per 5 kg and normal quality tinda is being sold at Rs 400 per 5 kg. Good quality tinda is being sold at Rs 130 per kg while normal quality at Rs 90 per kg in the retail market.

Arvi price remained stable during the said week at Rs 300 per 5 kg, which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 70 per kg. Cauliflower price witnessed no change and is available at Rs 300 per 5 kg, which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 75 per kg and cabbage price was found to be stable at Rs 150 per 5 kg, which in retail market is available at Rs 40 per kg.

Capsicum is being sold at Rs 700 per 5 kg in the wholesale market, which is being sold at Rs 160 per kg in the retail market. Okra is available at Rs 320 per 5 kg in the wholesale market which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 80 per kg, and torri is available at Rs 400 per 5 kg which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 100 per kg.

The survey observed that the price of non-perishable essential kitchen items including rice, pulses, wheat flour, spices, ghee/cooking oils and others were found to stable. Dal moong is being sold at Rs 140 per kg, lobia at 120 per kg, Masoor at Rs 145 per kg while daal channa is available at Rs 150 per kg and Kabali channa at Rs 170 per kg.

No change was witnessed in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which is available at Rs 105 per kg and Rs 1,160 per domestic cylinder of 11.8 kg. Sugar price remained stable at Rs 3,470 per 50 kg bag in the wholesale market which in the retail market is available at Rs 75 per kg.

According to survey, wheat flour price remained stable at Rs 740 per 20 kg bag, Lipton yellow label tea one kg pack was available at Rs 670 per kg, good quality ghee/cooking oil is being sold at Rs 820 per 5 kg and good quality rice per 25 kg bag is available Rs 2,500 which in the retail market is being sold at Rs 120 per kg.

Price of most of the fruits remained stable as good quality local banana is available at Rs 80 per dozen, and normal quality at Rs 50 per dozen, best quality Afghani pomegranates are available at Rs 120 per kg, while normal quality at Rs 100 per kg, best quality guava is being sold at Rs 75 per kg and normal at Rs 55 per kg, and grapes at Rs 125 per kg.

The survey maintains that the normal quality apple was available at Rs 60 per kg and best quality (China) at Rs 200 per kg and local pear was available at Rs 90 per kg and China pear at Rs 160 per kg.