Islamabad Market Survey: Stable Prices for Essential Kitchen Items

A recent survey conducted in Islamabad reveals that the prices of essential kitchen commodities have largely remained consistent this week compared to the previous week.

Chicken and Eggs
  • Chicken prices saw a decrease, falling from Rs16,400 to Rs15,200 per 40-kg in the wholesale market.
  • In retail, chicken is being sold at Rs410 per kg, down from Rs440, with chicken meat priced at Rs700 per kg.
  • Egg prices have held steady at Rs7,300 per carton (30 dozen), retailing between Rs260-275 per dozen.
Sugar and Wheat Flour
  • Sugar is stable at Rs8,800 per 50kg bag wholesale.
  • Retail sugar prices are around Rs190 per kg, exceeding the government-fixed rate of Rs170 per kg by Rs20.
  • Retailers claim that sugar millers aren’t fulfilling their supply commitments at government-set rates, which affects pricing.
  • Wheat flour prices are consistent, with the best quality ex-mill at Rs1,100 per 15kg bag (Rs1,150 retail) and normal quality at Rs1,000 (Rs1,050 retail).
Roti, Naan, and Paratha
  • Following a Rs1,400 reduction in wheat flour prices over the last 18 months, some tandoor owners in the capital have lowered prices.
  • Roti is now available at Rs16 (previously Rs20), naan at Rs20 (previously Rs25), and paratha at Rs45 (previously Rs50) in certain areas.
  • However, a major hotel chain continues to sell paratha at Rs60.
Bakery Items and Cooking Oil
  • Despite flour price drops of over 56% and ghee/cooking oil reductions of 31%, bakers have increased bakery item prices.
  • Top-quality cooking oil/ghee prices (e.g., Dalda) have decreased by 25% (from Rs3,600 to Rs2,700 per 5 kg).
  • Normal ghee prices have decreased by 31% (from Rs8,800 to Rs6,100 per carton of 16 packs).
Cooked Food, Meat, and Fish
  • Cooked food prices remain stable, with a daal/vegetable plate at Rs320, beef at Rs550, chicken at Rs500, and mutton at Rs750. Naan/roti costs Rs25/30.
  • Mutton is priced at Rs2,200 per kg, boneless beef at Rs1,400, and normal beef at Rs1,100.
  • Fish varieties range from Rs500 to Rs900 per kg.
Other Groceries
  • Tea prices are unchanged, with Lipton Yellow Label at Rs2,200 per 900 grams and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg.
  • Normal turmeric powder is available at Rs650 (previously Rs600) per kg, and red chili powder at Rs800 per kg.
Pulses and Spices
  • Pulses prices are stable: maash at Rs390, gram at Rs270, whole gram at Rs250, bean lentils between Rs400-500, moong at Rs380, and masoor at Rs280 per kg.
  • Branded spices (Shan, National, etc.) are steady at Rs140 per 39-gram pack.
Rice and Dairy Products
  • Rice prices are consistent: best quality basmati at Rs14,000 per 40kg bag wholesale (Rs390 retail), normal quality at Rs13,000 (Rs360 retail), and broken basmati at Rs10,000 (Rs260 retail).
  • Ghee/cooking oil is at Rs6,300 per carton wholesale (Rs420 retail), while top brands like Dalda are at Rs2,750 per 5kg tin wholesale (Rs2,850 retail).
Milk and Other Household Items
  • Packed milk brands are steady at Rs2,350 per carton, with 250ml packs at Rs95 and litre packs at Rs370.
  • Fresh milk is sold between Rs220-230 per kg, and yoghurt is stable at Rs250 per kg.
  • Powder milk (Nido, Lactogen) prices are unchanged.
  • Bathing soap prices are stable, with Safeguard at Rs160 and other brands at Rs150.
  • Detergent prices are also stable at Rs570 per kg.
  • Cold drink prices are consistent at Rs230 for a family-size bottle.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
  • OGRA has reduced LPG prices by Rs6.47 per kg, setting it at Rs233, but retailers continue to sell at Rs4,000 per 15kg cylinder, overcharging by Rs505.
  • Retailers are selling decanted LPG at escalated rates, charging Rs300-330 per kg, reflecting a Rs67-92 overcharge.
  • LPG traders attribute high prices to marketing companies, while OGRA’s enforcement is lacking.
  • Illegal decanting of LPG continues, leading to cylinder blasts.
Vegetables and Fruits
  • Vegetable and fruit prices show a mixed trend.
  • Potatoes are stable at Rs3,400-5,200 per quintal wholesale (Rs65-100 retail).
  • Onion prices are stable at Rs1,500-3,000 per quintal wholesale (Rs75-100 retail, exceeding government rates).
  • Tomato prices increased from Rs600 to Rs900 per 15kg basket (Rs100-300 retail, exceeding government rates).
Garlic and Ginger
  • Ginger is stable at Rs1,500/1,600 per 5kg wholesale (Rs450-500 retail).
  • Local garlic increased from Rs750 to Rs900 per 5 kg (Rs220 retail).
  • Quetta garlic is stable at Rs900 per 5 kg (Rs250 retail), and China garlic is stable at Rs1,150 per 5kg wholesale (Rs250-300 retail).
  • Vendors sometimes mislabel local garlic as China/Quetta garlic to increase profits.