Essential Kitchen Items Surge in Price in Peshawar’s Retail Market

A recent market survey in Peshawar has revealed a significant increase in the prices of essential kitchen staples. The survey, conducted on Sunday, indicated that items such as sugar, cooking oil/ghee, various pulses, flour, and both live chicken and meat have reached new price highs.

The continuous rise in inflation is making it progressively difficult for the average person to afford basic necessities. Residents have expressed concerns about some shopkeepers inflating prices due to inadequate monitoring and enforcement by relevant authorities.

Sugar Prices Soar

The survey detailed that a 50-kg bag of sugar is now priced at Rs9000 in the wholesale market, translating to Rs200 per kilogram in retail outlets. Consumers are urging local authorities to take decisive action against hoarding and profiteering, while also advocating for the strict enforcement of official price lists.

Cooking Oil and Ghee Costs Elevated

The prices for various brands and qualities of cooking oil and ghee remain elevated in the retail sector.

Sharp Increase in Chicken Prices

Live chicken prices have seen a marked increase, now selling for Rs465 per kilogram, a substantial jump from the previous week’s price of Rs360 per kilogram. Farm eggs remain stable at Rs360 per dozen. However, butchers are reportedly charging inflated rates for beef, with cow meat being sold at Rs1100/kg against the administration’s fixed range of Rs800-900/kg, and boneless meat reaching Rs1300/kg. Mutton prices range from Rs2500 to Rs3000/kg.

Vegetable Price Hikes

Tomato prices have doubled, now selling at Rs100/kg compared to Rs50/kg previously. Onions are priced at Rs70-80/kg. Ginger and garlic prices remain steady at Rs600/kg and between Rs200 to Rs300/kg, respectively. Green chilies are being sold at Rs120/kg, and lemons at Rs400/kg.

Other vegetables also saw price increases: peas are now Rs200-250/kg (previously Rs150/kg), capsicum at Rs100/kilo, ladyfinger at Rs200/kilo, Arvi at Rs150-200/kilo, turnip at Rs200/kg, eggplant (bringle) at Rs100/kilo, zucchini (tori) at Rs100-120/kilo, Tinda at Rs100/kg and cabbage at Rs100/kg. Red-colored potatoes are available at Rs70/kg, while white potatoes are at Rs50/kg.

Flour Prices Stable but Still High

Flour prices remained relatively stable, with a 20-kg bag of fine flour selling for Rs1750-Rs1600 and brown flour at Rs1400. However, wheat flour and related products like maida, soji, and choker flour continue to be expensive.

Other Commodities

Beverage prices across all brands and qualities also remain high. Black tea is being sold for Rs1400-1500 per kg. Good quality rice (sela) is priced at Rs360/kg, lower quality rice at Rs300-320/kg, and tota rice at Rs200-220/kg.

Various pulses are priced as follows: dal mash at Rs480, dal masoor at Rs320 per kilo, dal chilka (black) at Rs320/kg, dal chilka (green) at Rs260/kg, moonge at Rs400/kg, dhoti dal at Rs400/kg, dal Channa at Rs450/kg, red bean at Rs440 per kg, Gram flour (baisen) at Rs420/kg (previously Rs280/kg), big-size white Channa at Rs380/kg, and small-size white channa from Rs360/kg.

Fruit Prices Increase

The price of Apple ranges from Rs250-300 and Rs400-500/kg, banana at Rs150 and 200/dozen, mango at Rs200-250 and Rs300, plum at Rs150 and Rs200/kg, apricot at Rs300-350 and Rs400 per kg, leechi at Rs500/kg, black jamun at Rs500 and Rs600/ kg, melon at Rs100-150/kg, watermelon at Rs80/kg.