ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items witnessed a reduction during this week past as compared to preceding week, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder, here on Saturday.

The survey observed that during the week under review, prices of most of the vegetables, fruits and chicken witnessed a decline while prices of other essential kitchen items remained stable.

Onions price came down from Rs 180 to Rs 140 per 5kg in the wholesale market which were being sold at Rs 40 against Rs 50 per kg in the retail market.

Best quality potatoes price decreased from Rs 170 to Rs 150 per 5kg, which was being sold at Rs 40 against Rs 45 per kg in the retail market. Sweet potatoes’ price went down from Rs 120 to Rs 100 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 25 against 30 per kg in the retail market. Tomatoes price further went down from Rs 270 to Rs 200 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 50 against Rs 65 per kg in the retail market.

Various qualities of garlic price reduced from Rs 400-500 to Rs 350-400 per 5kg which were being sold at Rs 75-100 against Rs 90-130 per kg in the retail market. Ginger price remained stable at Rs 900 per 5 kg which was being sold at Rs 200-220 per kg in the retail market. Lemon price further went down from Rs 800 to Rs 700 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 175 against Rs 220 per kg in the retail market.

Live chicken price went down from Rs 4,400 to Rs 4,200 per 40kg which was being sold at Rs 120 against Rs 140 per kg in the retail market whereas chicken meat was being sold at Rs 190-200 against Rs 230 per kg. Eggs price remained stable in the wholesale market and retail market at Rs 85 per dozen and Rs 95 per dozen respectively.

Capsicum price went down from Rs 500 to Rs 300 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 75-80 against Rs 125 per kg in the retail market, taro (arvi) price went down from Rs 270 to Rs 170 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 45-50 against Rs 65-70 per kg in the retail market, local carrot prices went down from Rs 250 to Rs 170 per 5kg while it was being sold at Rs 45 against Rs 65 per kg in the retail market and Chinese carrot price reduced from Rs 450 to Rs 400 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 90 per kg.

Bean price remained stable at Rs 380 per 5kg while it was being sold at Rs 90-95 per kg in the retail market, okra price went down from Rs 300 to Rs 250 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 60-70 against Rs 100 per kg in the retail market, and ridge gourd (tori) price remained stable at Rs 250 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 60-65 per kg in the retail market.

Turnip price went up from Rs 200 to Rs 250 per 5kg, which was being sold at Rs 60-65 against Rs 50-60 per kg in the retail market. Maroo kaddu price went up from Rs 220 to Rs 250 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 65 against Rs 50 per kg in the retail market.

Tinda price went down from Rs 300 to Rs 250 per 5kg and it was being sold at Rs 60 against Rs 65-70 per kg in the retail market. Cauliflower price went up from Rs 280 to Rs 320 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 85 against Rs 65-70 per kg in the retail market. Cabbage price went down from Rs 170 to Rs 140 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 45 against Rs 50-55 per kg in the retail market.

Brinjal price remained stable at Rs 160 per 5kg in the wholesale market which was being sold at Rs 35-40 per kg in retail market, peas price further went down from Rs 750 to Rs 700 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 170 against Rs 190-200 per kg in the retail market, cucumber price remained stable at Rs 175 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 45-50 per kg in the retail market.

Karaila (bitter gourd) price further went down from Rs 300 to Rs 150 per 5kg which was being sold at Rs 45-50 against Rs 75-80 per kg in the retail market.

Prices of all major pulses remained stable as white lentil (maash) was being sold at Rs 115 per kg, good quality grams at Rs 125 per kg, kidney bean (lobia) in the range of Rs 90-120 per kg, green gram (moong) at Rs 90 per kg and red lentil (masoor) at Rs 110 per kg.

Sugar price remained stable at Rs 2,700 per 50kg bag which was being sold at Rs 60 per kg in the retail market. Packed milk price was stable at Rs 1,550 per carton and tea price also witnessed no change. Good quality rice was being sold at Rs 140 per kg, normal quality rice at Rs 90 per kg and wheat flour at Rs 750 per 20kg bag.

Overall fruit prices witnessed a reduction as Gaja apple was available at Rs 70-80 against Rs 75-90 per kg. Chinese and other imported apples were being sold in the range of Rs 200-275 per kg. Local Kala Kolo apple was available at Rs 120 against Rs 130 per kg and golden apple at Rs 80 against Rs 90 per kg.

Local good quality banana was available at Rs 70 against Rs 75 per dozen, normal quality banana in the range of Rs 40-50 per dozen, good quality guava was being sold at Rs 60 per kg and its normal quality was available in the range of Rs 40-45 per kg.

Various qualities of grapes were being sold in the range of Rs 120-200 against Rs 150-250 per kg. Sweet orange was available at Rs 120 per dozen; Chinese pear at Rs 140-180 per kg and Pakistani pear at Rs 80 against Rs 90 per kg while Kandhari pomegranate were being sold at Rs 120-150 per kg against Rs 200 per kg.