Essential Kitchen Items Show Increasing Price Trend in Islamabad

A recent survey conducted in Islamabad reveals a general increase in the prices of essential kitchen commodities compared to the previous week.

Wheat Flour Prices Remain Constant

The survey indicated that the price of wheat flour remained stable. The best quality wheat flour is available at Rs1,100 per 15kg bag ex-mill, retailing at Rs1,150. Normal quality wheat flour is priced at Rs1,000 per 15kg bag, retailing at Rs1,050.

Impact of Wheat Flour Price Reduction on Tandoor Rates

Following a substantial decrease of Rs1,400 per 15kg bag in wheat flour cost over the past year, some tandoor owners in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have lowered prices. In certain areas of the capital, Roti is now available for Rs16 (previously Rs20), Naan for Rs20 (previously Rs25), and Paratha for Rs45 (previously Rs50). However, Quetta hotels continue to sell Paratha at Rs60.

Bakery Items See Price Hike Despite Flour and Ghee Reductions

Despite a flour price reduction exceeding 56 percent and a decrease of over 31 percent in ghee/cooking oil costs, bakeries have increased the prices of biscuits, bread, and confectionery items. Top-quality cooking oil/ghee prices (e.g., Dalda) have decreased by 25 percent, from Rs3,600 per 5kg to Rs2,700. Normal ghee prices have fallen by 31 percent, from Rs8,800 per carton of 16 packs to Rs6,100 over the last two years.

Cooked Food Prices Stable

The prices of cooked food items have remained consistent, with a cooked daal/vegetable plate available at a normal hotel for Rs320, beef plate for Rs550, chicken plate for Rs500, mutton for Rs750, and naan/roti being sold at Rs25/30.

Chicken and Egg Prices Fluctuate

Chicken prices have increased from Rs13,800 to Rs16,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market, retailing at Rs440 (previously Rs370) per kg. Chicken meat price rose from Rs620 to Rs700 per kg. Egg prices remained steady at Rs7,000 per carton of 30 dozen, retailing between Rs250-260 per dozen. Sugar prices increased from Rs9,000 to Rs9,100 per 50kg bag in the wholesale market, retailing at Rs190 per kg.

Mutton and Beef Prices Steady

Mutton and beef prices have remained stable, with normal quality mutton available at Rs2,200 per kg, boneless beef at Rs1,400 per kg, and normal beef at Rs1,100 per kg. Fish varieties are available between Rs500 and Rs900 per kg.

Tea and Spices Prices Show Mixed Trend

Tea prices are unchanged, with Lipton Yellow Label at Rs2,200 per 900 grams pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg. Normal quality turmeric powder is priced at Rs650 (previously Rs600) per kg, and normal quality red chili powder at Rs800 per kg.

Pulses Prices Stable

Pulses prices have remained consistent, with maash pulse at Rs390 per kg, gram pulse at Rs270 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs250 per kg, bean lentils between Rs400-500 per kg, moong pulse at Rs380 per kg, and masoor pulse at Rs280 per kg.

Branded Spices and Rice Prices Consistent

Branded spices (Shan, National, etc.) prices are stable, with a 39-gram pack at Rs140. Rice prices remain steady, with best quality basmati at Rs14,000 per 40kg bag in wholesale, retailing at Rs390 per kg, normal quality Basmati at Rs13,000 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs360 per kg, and broken Basmati at Rs10,000 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs260 per kg.

Ghee/Cooking Oil and Milk Prices Fluctuate

B-grade ghee/oil is available at Rs6,150 per carton of 16 packs in wholesale, retailing at Rs480 per 900-gram pack. Top-quality brands like Dalda ghee are priced at Rs2,720 per 5kg tin and cooking oil at Rs2,720 per 5-liter bottle. Packed milk brands (Milk-Pak, Olpers, etc.) increased from Rs2,250 to Rs2,350 per carton, with 250ml packs retailing at Rs95 (previously Rs90). Liter packs increased from Rs350 to Rs370. Fresh milk in some areas is sold at Rs220 per kg, while in others, it remains at Rs230 per kg, with yogurt stable at Rs250 per kg. Powder milk prices (Nido, Lactogen) are unchanged, with 400-gram Nido at Rs1,320 and 200-gram packs at Rs700.

Soaps and Detergents See Slight Price Changes

Bathing soap prices (excluding Safeguard) remained stable. Family-size Safeguard increased from Rs150 to Rs160 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, and Palmolive are available at Rs150 per pack. Detergent prices slightly increased, with Ariel Surf, Brite, and Express Power at Rs570 (previously Rs550) per kg pack. Cold drink prices (Pepsi, Coke, Miranda) are stable, with a family-size bottle at Rs230.

LPG Prices and OGRA Regulations

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) announced a reduction of Rs6.47 per kg in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) price, fixing it at Rs233 (previously Rs240.53). However, retailers continue to sell a 15kg domestic cylinder at Rs4,000 against OGRA’s fixed price of Rs3,495, overcharging Rs505 per cylinder. Retailers also sell LPG at escalated rates through decanting, charging Rs300-330 per kg, reflecting an overcharge of Rs67-92 per kg.

LPG Traders Blame Marketing Companies

LPG traders and distributors attribute the higher prices to marketing companies, stating that they supply the commodity at higher rates, leaving retailers with no option but to pass the burden to consumers. Traders allege that marketing companies and distributors earn billions by overcharging, while OGRA, relying on district administration and police, has failed to enforce official rates. Illegal decanting of LPG by distributors and retailers continues, leading to cylinder blasts and loss of lives.

Vegetable and Fruit Prices Increase

Overall, vegetable and fruit prices have generally increased. Potato prices in the wholesale market rose from Rs2,700-4,300 to Rs3,200-5,000 per quintal, retailing between Rs60-80 (previously Rs55-70) per kg. Onion prices in the wholesale market increased from Rs1,300-2,700 to Rs1,500-3,000 per quintal, retailing between Rs35-60 per kg. Tomato prices increased from Rs220 to Rs330 per 15kg basket, retailing between Rs50-70 (previously Rs40-60) per kg.

Ginger prices decreased from Rs2,000 to Rs1,500/1,600 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs450-500 (previously Rs500-525) per kg. Local garlic is stable at Rs750 per 5kg, retailing at Rs200 per kg. Quetta garlic is stable at Rs900 per 5 kg, retailing at Rs250 per kg. China garlic increased from Rs1,000 to Rs1,150 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs250-300 (previously Rs230-240) per kg.

Capsicum prices increased from Rs250 to Rs350 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs90-110 (previously Rs75-80) per kg. Pumpkin prices increased from Rs100-500 to Rs100-750 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs40-220 (previously Rs40-140) per kg. Tinda prices remained stable at Rs150-750 per 5kg, retailing between Rs55-200 per kg. Eggplant prices increased from Rs280 to Rs400 per 5kg, retailing between Rs110-140 (previously Rs75-80) per kg. Cauliflower prices increased from Rs450 to Rs550 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs150-170 (previously Rs120-130) per kg. Cabbage prices increased from Rs250 to Rs350 per 5kg, retailing between Rs90-100 (previously Rs65-75) per kg.

Okra prices increased from Rs400 to Rs550 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs150-170 (previously Rs100-130) per kg. Bitter gourd prices increased from Rs400 to Rs550 per 5kg, retailing between Rs140-160 (previously Rs100-120) per kg. Green chili prices are stable at Rs300-400 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing between Rs100-130 per kg. Beetroot prices are stable at Rs300 per 5kg, retailing between Rs80-90 per kg. China carrot prices are stable at Rs350 per 5kg, retailing between Rs90-100 per kg. Cucumber prices decreased from Rs300 to Rs150 per 5kg, retailing between Rs50-60 (previously Rs80-90) per kg.

Fresh Bean prices are stable at Rs450 per 5kg, retailing between Rs120-140 per kg. Yam prices are stable at Rs500 per 5kg, retailing between Rs130-140 per kg. Turnip is stable at Rs225 per 5kg, retailing between Rs65-75 per kg. Peas prices increased from Rs800 to Rs950 per 5kg, retailing between Rs230-250 (previously Rs200-225) per kg. Spinach is available at Rs150 per 5kg, retailing at Rs15-20 per bundle of 200 grams. Coriander is available at Rs250 per 5kg in wholesale, retailing at Rs30-35 per bundle of 250 grams.