ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items, especially of mutton, beef, chicken, and fruits, have witnessed an increase during this week past against the preceding week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.

The survey noted that the price of boneless beef went up from Rs 450 per kg to Rs 480 per kg, beef from Rs 850 per kg to Rs 920 per kg and chicken went up from Rs 180 per kg to Rs 190 per kg. According to the traders, the price escalation of beef, chicken and fruits is due to the fact that Ramazan is approaching.

Live chicken price in wholesales market went up from Rs 5,700 per 40kg to Rs 6,000 per 40kg, which in retail market was being sold at Rs 190 per kg against Rs 180 per kg, and chicken meat at Rs 320 per kg. The eggs prices in wholesale market remained stable at Rs 84 per dozen which in retail market were being sold at Rs 92-95 per dozen.

The survey observed that the local garlic prices witnessed an increase from Rs 220 per 5kg to Rs 250 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 65 per kg while Chinese garlic price remained stable at Rs 450 per kg, which in retail market was being sold at Rs 130 per kg. Ginger price further went down from Rs 650 per 5kg to Rs 600 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 160-175 per kg against Rs 190 per kg. Local lemon price went down from Rs 900 per 5kg to Rs 800 per 5kg which is being sold at Rs 210 per kg against Rs 230 per kg while Chinese lemon price remained stable at Rs 1000 per 5kg which is being sold at Rs 250 per kg.

The survey observed no change in pieces of onion, potato and tomato as onions were available at Rs120 per 5kg in wholesales market while in retail they were being sold at Rs 30-35 per kg, potato at Rs 90 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 25 per kg and tomatoes at Rs 120 per 5kg while in retail market it was available at Rs 35 per kg.

No significant changes were observed in the prices of all the nonperishable items especially pulses, cooking oil, spices and other kitchen specific items as white lentil (Maash) was being sold at Rs 120 per kg, good quality grams at Rs 170 per kg, kidney bean (Lobia) in the range of Rs 100-120 per kg, green gram (Moong) at Rs 100 per kg and red lentil (Masoor) was being sold at Rs 100 per kg.

Most of the vegetables prices witnessed a mixed trend as capsicum price went up from Rs 150 per 5kg to Rs 175 per 5kg in wholesale market which in retail was sold at Rs 45-50 per kg against Rs 40 per kg; peas price went up from Rs 220 per 5kg to Rs 270 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 55-60 per kg, taro (arvi) price went down from Rs 240 per 5kg to Rs 220 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 50-55 per kg against Rs 60 per kg, carrot price went up from Rs 150 per 5kg to Rs 170 per 5kg while in retail market it was being sold at Rs 45-50 per kg against Rs 40 per kg; and price of a pack of 8kg radish remained stable at Rs 170 per pack which in retail market was being sold at Rs 35 per kg.

Bean price went up from Rs 175 per 5kg to Rs 225 per 5kg while in retail market it was being sold at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 45 per kg, okra price went up from Rs 250 per 5kg to Rs 280 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 60 per kg, price of ridge gourd (tori) further went up from Rs 230 per 5kg to Rs 250 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 60-70 per kg against Rs 50 per kg.

Turnip price went up from Rs 100 per 5kg to Rs 200 per 5kg, which in retail market was being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 25 per kg, Maroo kadu price remained stable at Rs 120 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 35 per kg, cauliflower price remained stable at Rs 150 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 35 per kg and cabbage price also witnessed no change which was available at Rs 120 per 5kg while in retail market it was being sold at Rs 35 per kg.

Brinjal price went up from Rs 150 per 5kg to Rs 200 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 50 per kg against Rs 45-40 per kg, cucumber price went up from Rs 170 per 5 kg to Rs 200 per 5kg which in retail market was being sold at Rs 55-60 per kg against Rs45 per kg.

Fruit prices also witnessed an increase as good quality local banana was available at Rs 150 per dozen against Rs 100 per dozen, normal quality at Rs 100-120 per dozen against Rs 70-80 per dozen and Indian banana at Rs 225 per dozen against Rs 200 per dozen. Good quality guava was available at Rs 90 per kg and normal quality was in the range of Rs 60-70 per kg.