Essential Kitchen Items Show Increasing Price Trends in Islamabad

A recent survey conducted in Islamabad reveals an upward trend in the prices of essential kitchen commodities compared to the previous week.

Price Fluctuations
  • Chicken: Wholesale prices decreased from Rs15,000 to Rs10,400 per 40kg. Retail prices are around Rs290 per kg, down from Rs310. Chicken meat is now Rs500 per kg, a decrease from Rs530.
  • Eggs: Prices declined from Rs9,000 to Rs7,000 per carton (30 dozen). Retail prices range from Rs290-295 per dozen, compared to Rs315-320 previously.
Stable Prices
  • Sugar: Remained steady at Rs8,650 per 50 kg bag in the wholesale market, selling at Rs180/190 per kg in retail.
  • Meat: Mutton (normal quality) is still at Rs2,200 per kg, boneless beef at Rs1,400 per kg, and regular beef at Rs1,100 per kg. Fish varieties range from Rs500 to Rs900 per kg.
Other Observations

Unlike previous budget cycles, no surge in prices was noted for soft drinks, cooking oil/ghee, and cigarettes.

Wheat Flour and Cooked Foods
  • Wheat Flour: Best quality ex-mill is Rs1,130 per 15kg bag, retailing at Rs1,180. Normal quality is Rs1,050, retailing at Rs1,100. Significant reductions over the past year have led some tandoor owners to reduce roti prices to Rs16 (from Rs20), naan to Rs20 (from Rs25), and paratha to Rs45 (from Rs50). However, biscuit and bread prices remain elevated since increases post-2020.
  • Cooked Food: Prices stable, with daal/vegetable plate at Rs320, beef at Rs550, chicken at Rs500, mutton at Rs750, and naan/roti at Rs25/30.
Pulses, Spices, and Rice
  • Tea: Lipton Yellow Label (900g) at Rs2,200, Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg.
  • Spices: Turmeric powder at Rs600 (previously Rs700), red chilli powder at Rs800 (previously Rs900).
  • Pulses: Maash at Rs440 per kg, gram pulse at Rs300 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs270 per kg, bean lentils range from Rs450-550 per kg, moong at Rs400 per kg, and masoor at Rs280 per kg.
  • Branded Spices: Shan and National spices remain stable at Rs140 per 39g pack.
  • Rice: Best quality basmati at Rs12,800 per 40kg bag wholesale (Rs350 per kg retail), normal quality at Rs11,000 (Rs310 retail), and broken basmati at Rs8,500 (Rs235 retail).
Dairy, Soaps, and Drinks
  • Ghee/Cooking Oil: B-grade at Rs6,000 per carton wholesale (Rs460 per 900g pack retail). Premium brands like Dalda ghee at Rs2,720 per 5kg tin/bottle.
  • Milk: Packed milk brands at Rs2,250 per carton wholesale, Rs90 per 250ml retail. Fresh milk at Rs220-230 per kg, yogurt at Rs250 per kg.
  • Powdered Milk: Nido (400g) at Rs1,320, 200g pack at Rs700.
  • Soaps: Family-size Safeguard and Dettol at Rs165, Lux at Rs150. Detergent prices slightly up to Rs570 per kg pack.
  • Cold Drinks: Family-size bottles stable at Rs230.
LPG Prices

OGRA’s fixed price for LPG is Rs240.53 per kg, but retailers sell 15kg cylinders at Rs4,000 (Rs3,615 fixed), overcharging by Rs385. Decanting escalates prices further, with retailers charging Rs300-330 per kg, overcharging by Rs60-85. Traders blame marketing companies, while OGRA struggles with enforcement.

Vegetables and Fruits
  • Potatoes: Wholesale up to Rs2,600-4,500 per quintal, retail at Rs55-70 per kg.
  • Onions: Wholesale down to Rs1,200-2,000 per quintal, retail at Rs30-45 per kg.
  • Tomatoes: Down to Rs170 per 15kg basket, retail at Rs30-40 per kg.
  • Ginger: Stable at Rs2,200 per 5kg wholesale, Rs525-550 per kg retail.
  • Garlic: Local up to Rs850 per 5 kg (Rs220 retail), China up to Rs1,100 (Rs250-300 retail).
  • Capsicum: Up to Rs250 per 5kg wholesale, Rs75-80 retail.
  • Pumpkins: Up to Rs200-250 per 5kg wholesale, Rs55-75 retail.
  • Tinda: Up to Rs130-700 per 5kg wholesale, Rs45-200 retail.
  • Eggplant: Up to Rs350 per 5kg, Rs85-100 retail.
  • Cauliflower: Up to Rs450 per 5kg wholesale, Rs120-140 retail.
  • Cabbage: Up to Rs225 per 5kg, Rs65-75 retail.
  • Okra: Up to Rs130 per 5kg wholesale, Rs50-60 retail.
  • Bitter Gourd: Stable at Rs250 per 5kg, Rs65-75 retail.
  • Green Chilli: Up to Rs300-400 per 5kg wholesale, Rs100-130 retail.
  • Beetroot: Up to Rs250 per 5kg, Rs70-75 retail.
  • Carrot: Stable at Rs150 per 5kg, Rs50-55 retail.
  • Cucumber: Up to Rs225 per 5kg, Rs65-75 retail.
  • Fresh Bean: Up to Rs450 per 5kg, Rs120-140 retail.
  • Yam: Down to Rs600 per 5kg, Rs190-200 retail.
  • Turnip: Stable at Rs150 per 5kg, Rs50-55 retail.
  • Peas: Down to Rs650 per 5kg, Rs180-200 retail.
  • Radish: Stable at Rs100 per 5kg, Rs35-45 retail.
  • Spinach: Rs150 per 5kg, Rs15-20 per bundle retail.
  • Coriander: Rs250 per 5kg wholesale, Rs30-35 per bundle retail.
Fruit Prices
  • Apples: Range from Rs150-500 per kg.
  • Iranian Dates: Rs400-450 per kg.
  • Bananas: Up to Rs100-200 per dozen.
  • Melons: Rs50-100 per kg.
  • Chikoo: Rs275-300 per kg.
  • Papaya: Rs350-380 per kg.
  • Falsa: Rs350-400 per kg.
  • New Arrivals: Mangos (Rs150-250 per kg), cherry (Rs600-750 per kg), peach (Rs150-250 per kg), apricot (Rs175-300 per kg).
Price Discrepancies and Enforcement

Significant differences exist between wholesale and official prices set by market committees. Retailers claim losses due to spoilage. Retailers often fail to display official price lists, a legal requirement.