ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Prices of tomatoes and onions have increased due to delayed supply and those of other vegetables have witnessed reduction while prices of non-perishable kitchen items remained stable, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.

The survey observed that price of the most used vegetable, tomato, in wholesales market reached Rs 1,500 for a box of 15kg, onion is being sold at Rs 5,800 per quintal which normally is available at Rs 3,000, and potato is available at Rs 2,800 per quintal against normal price of Rs 2,300.

In retail market, potatoes are being sold at Rs 40 per kg against normal price of Rs 30 per kg, tomatoes at Rs 140 per kg against Rs 40 per kg and onions at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 30 per kg. Ginger price witnessed a reduction from Rs 900 per 5kg to Rs 750 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 180 per kg against Rs 200 per kg while garlic price also came down from Rs 650 per 5kg to Rs 500 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 180 per kg.

According to traders at wholesales market, the prices of onion and tomato have gone up due to non-arrival of local fresh crops in the market, once the local supplies start reaching the market, the prices will stabilize. They said that at present imported onions and tomatoes from Afghanistan and India are available to consumers, therefore, the prices are so high.

It was observed in the market that some vendors are selling tomatoes at manifold rates as it costs Rs 100 per kg in wholesales market while various venders are selling the commodity at Rs 200 per kg, while the price control authorities have fixed tomatoes price at Rs 105 per kg.

Chicken prices witnessed a further decline from Rs 3,800 per 40kg to Rs 3,600 per 40kg which in retail market is being sold at Rs 100-110 per kg. While chicken meat is being sold at Rs 170 per kg against Rs 180 per kg, while eggs price remained on high slide at Rs 105 per dozen in wholesales market which in retail are being sold at Rs 115 per dozen.

Okra price went down from Rs 250 per 5kg to Rs 200 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 60 per kg, and tori price went down from Rs 300 per 5kg to Rs 250 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 70 per kg. Cauliflower price reduced from Rs 500 per 5kg to Rs 300 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 120 per kg and cabbage price further went down from Rs 150 per 5kg to Rs 120 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs35-40 per kg against Rs 45 per kg.

Lemon price went down from Rs 800 per 5kg to Rs 600 per 5kg, which in retail market is being sold at Rs 140 per kg against Rs 200 per kg. Brinjal price went down from Rs 150 per 5kg to Rs 120 per 5kg which in retail market is being sold at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 40 per kg, cucumber price went down from Rs 300 per 5kg to Rs 220 per 5kg in wholesales market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs 55-60 per kg against Rs 70 per kg.

Tinda price went down from Rs 400 per 5kg to Rs 250 per 5kg, which in retail is being sold at Rs 65 per kg against Rs 100, Kadu price reduced from Rs 300 per 5kg to Rs200 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs50 per kg against Rs 70 per kg, Loki Kadu price reduced from Rs 500 per 5 kg to Rs 300 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 75 per kg against Rs 130 per kg, kareela price remained unchanged at Rs 300 per 5kg which in retail is being sold at Rs 70 per kg. The prices of all the non-perishable kitchen items including rice, pulses, spices, sugar, tea, and wheat flour remained stable during the week under review. Prices of all the major pulses witnessed no change as Massh is being sold at Rs 180 per kg against, Channa at Rs 190 per kg, Lobia in the range of Rs 120-Rs140 per kg, Moong at Rs 120 per kg and Masoor at Rs 110 per kg. Fruit prices witnessed a mixed trend during the week under review as good quality banana price went up from Rs 60 per dozen to Rs 80 per dozen, while price of normal quality banana price increased from Rs 50 per dozen to Rs 60 per dozen. Guava price witnessed no change as best quality guava price went down from Rs 70 per kg to Rs 60 per kg and normal quality guava price reduced from Rs 50 per kg to Rs40 per kg. Normal quality white apple is being sold at Rs 60 per kg, Chinese apple at Rs 200 per kg while New Zeeland apples are being sold at Rs250 per kg.