ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Prices of essential kitchen items witnessed a mixed trend during the last week compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday revealed.

The survey noted that prices of essential kitchen items and other daily-use commodities increased following Rs15 per litre hike in petrol and diesel prices. As a result, transportation costs surged by five to seven percent, with traders passing the additional burden on to consumers.

However, chicken prices registered a decline during the week. In the wholesale market, live chicken prices fell from Rs 15,000 to Rs 14,400 per 40kg, while in the retail market chicken was available at Rs385-400 per kg against Rs400-410 per kg last week. Similarly, chicken meat prices dropped from Rs600-640 to Rs570-620 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices also decreased, falling from Rs 6,700 to Rs 6,200 per carton containing 30 dozen in the wholesale market. In retail markets, eggs were being sold at Rs230-240 per dozen compared to Rs250-260 per dozen in the previous week.

Meanwhile, meat prices largely remained stable. Normal-quality mutton was available at Rs 2,700-2,800 per kg, while premium-quality mutton was being sold at Rs 3,000-3,200 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef was priced at Rs 1,700 per kg, whereas mixed beef was available at Rs 1,500 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also remained stable, with different types of fish available in the range of Rs550-1,000 per kg.

Sugar prices declined from Rs 7,100 to Rs 7,000 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets, while in the retail market sugar was being sold in the range of Rs150-160 per kg.

Meanwhile, wheat flour prices increased from Rs 1,670 to Rs 1,720 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market. In retail markets, flour was available at Rs 1,750-1,780 per 15kg bag against Rs 1,700-1,720 last week. No changes were witnessed in the prices of roti, naan and paratha, with roti being sold at Rs25, naan at Rs30 and paratha at Rs60. Similarly, prices of bakery and confectionery items remained unchanged. Normal-sized bread was available at Rs150 against Rs140 previously, small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210.

Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A cooked dal or vegetable plate at an ordinary hotel was available at Rs320, cooked beef plate at Rs550, cooked chicken plate at Rs500, and cooked mutton plate at Rs750. Naan and roti were being sold at Rs30 and Rs25 respectively, while a cup of tea was available in the range of Rs70-100.

No changes were observed in the prices of branded spices, including Shan and National products, which were available at around Rs150 per 39-gram pack.

Ghee and cooking oil prices largely remained stable. B-grade ghee/oil was available at Rs 6,700 per carton containing 16 packs in the wholesale market, while in retail a 900-gram pack was being sold at Rs430. However, prices of premium brands slightly declined, as Dalda ghee prices dropped from Rs 2,920 to Rs 2,850 per 5kg tin, while in retail it was being sold at around Rs 3,000 per 5-litre bottle.

Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price at Rs303 per kg. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers were selling LPG in the range of Rs425-450 per kg, significantly above the official rate. A domestic cylinder containing 15kg LPG was being sold at Rs 6,200 against the official price of Rs 4,560, reflecting overcharging of Rs121-145 per kg and around Rs 2,140 per domestic cylinder.

The survey noted that LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers were overcharging consumers by Rs75-100 per kg. It added that OGRA and other relevant authorities — including local administration officials such as Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Tehsildars, along with representatives of traders, farmers and retailers — had failed to effectively monitor market conditions and enforce official rates, forcing consumers to pay inflated prices.

Prices of various rice varieties remained stable during the week. Premium-quality basmati rice was available at Rs 13,000 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail it was being sold at around Rs380 per kg. Normal-quality basmati rice was priced at Rs 11,500 per 40kg bag, which retailed at Rs340 per kg. Good-quality broken basmati rice was available at Rs 8,700 per 40kg bag and was being sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets. Meanwhile, ordinary rice varieties were available in the range of Rs 6,500-7,000 per 40kg bag, while retail prices ranged between Rs160 and Rs210 per kg.

Tea prices also remained stable, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs 2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea was being sold at Rs 1,700 per kg.

Similarly, no changes were observed in the prices of turmeric and red chilli powder. Turmeric powder was available at Rs650 per kg in the wholesale market, while retailers were selling it in the range of Rs850-950 per kg. Red chilli powder was available at Rs700 per kg in wholesale markets and retailed at Rs850-950 per kg.

Pulse prices also remained unchanged during the week. Maash pulse was available at Rs 14,500 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market and was being sold in retail markets at Rs450-500 per kg. Gram pulse was priced at Rs 9,200 per 40kg bag and retailed at Rs250-260 per kg. Premium-quality whole gram was available at Rs 10,000 per 40kg bag and was being sold at Rs270-290 per kg in retail markets, while ordinary gram pulse was available at Rs270 per kg.

Different varieties of bean lentils were available in the range of Rs 15,600-18,600 per 40kg bag in wholesale markets, while retail prices ranged from Rs440 to Rs560 per kg. Moong pulse was available at Rs 12,700 per 40kg bag and retailed at Rs350 per kg, whereas masoor pulse was priced at Rs 9,200 per 40kg bag and was available at Rs260 per kg in retail markets.

Prices of packed milk brands, including Milk Pak, Olpers and others, witnessed slight changes during the week. A carton containing one-litre packs was available at Rs 4,200, while in retail markets a one-litre pack was being sold at Rs370. The price of a carton containing 250ml packed milk packs declined from Rs 2,550 to Rs 2,500, while in retail markets a 250ml pack was available at Rs100. Fresh milk prices in some parts of the twin cities were recorded at Rs250 per litre, while in other areas milk continued to be sold at Rs240 per litre. Yogurt prices remained stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido was available at Rs 1,100 against Rs 1,350 previously, while a 200-gram pack was being sold at Rs750.

Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable. Safeguard family-size soap was available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands were being sold at around Rs180 per pack. Similarly, detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite and Express Power, remained unchanged at around Rs580 per kg pack.

Prices of various soft drink brands, including Pepsi, Coke, Miranda and others, also remained stable, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230.

Vegetable prices witnessed a mixed trend during the week. Potato prices declined from Rs 1,100-1,400 to Rs 1,000-1,300 per quintal in the wholesale market, while retailers were selling potatoes in the range of Rs40-50 per kg against the official price of Rs20-26 per kg. Onion prices also eased in both wholesale and retail markets. In the wholesale market, onions were available at Rs 3,300-5,800 per quintal against Rs 3,500-6,000 previously, while in retail markets they were being sold at Rs65-80 per kg compared to the officially notified rate of Rs43-72 per kg. Tomato prices remained stable at Rs450 per 15kg basket in the wholesale market, while in retail they were available at Rs40-60 per kg against Rs50-70 previously. The official price for tomatoes was fixed at Rs24-56 per kg.