Essential Kitchen Items Show Price Increases in Islamabad

A recent survey in Islamabad reveals that the prices of essential kitchen commodities have generally increased compared to the previous week.

Poultry and Eggs

Chicken prices in the wholesale market decreased from Rs16,800 to Rs15,200 per 40kg. Consequently, retail prices have adjusted to Rs410 per kg, down from Rs450, and chicken meat is now priced at Rs630 per kg, a decrease from Rs700. Conversely, egg prices have risen, with a carton of 30 dozen now costing Rs8,600, up from Rs8,000. Retail prices for eggs range from Rs310-315 per dozen, compared to the previous Rs290-300.

Staples and Meats

Sugar prices remain consistent at Rs8,550 per 50 kg bag in the wholesale market, retailing at Rs180 per kg. Mutton and beef prices have also remained stable, with standard mutton available at Rs2,200 per kg, boneless beef at Rs1,400 per kg, and regular beef at Rs1,100 per kg. The price range for various fish types is between Rs500 and Rs900 per kg.

Flour and Cooked Foods

Wheat flour prices are steady, with premium quality flour available at Rs1,100 per 15kg bag ex-mill, retailing at Rs1,150. Normal quality flour is priced at Rs1,020 per 15kg bag, selling at Rs1,070 in retail. Following a significant reduction in wheat flour prices over the past year, some tandoor owners in the twin cities have lowered the prices of roti, naan, and paratha. Roti is now available for Rs16 (previously Rs20), naan for Rs20 (previously Rs25), and paratha for Rs45 (previously Rs50) in certain areas.

However, bakeries have not decreased prices for biscuits, bread, and confectionery, which had been significantly increased following the 2020 coronavirus crisis, citing higher costs for ghee/cooking oil and wheat flour. Cooked food prices remain stable, with a daal/vegetable plate at Rs320, beef plate at Rs550, chicken plate at Rs500, mutton plate at Rs750, and naan/roti at Rs25/30.

Other Groceries

Tea prices are unchanged, with Lipton Yellow Label at Rs2,200 per 900 grams and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg. The price of standard turmeric powder has decreased to Rs600 per kg from Rs700, while red chili powder has increased to Rs900 per kg from Rs700.

Traders noted that, unlike previous years when suppliers hoarded goods before the annual budget, no artificial shortages have yet been created, except for cigarette manufacturers who increased Capstan prices from Rs240 to Rs250 per pack.

Pulses prices are mostly stable, with maash at Rs440 per kg, gram pulse at Rs300 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs270 per kg, various bean lentils ranging from Rs450-550 per kg, moong at Rs400 per kg, and masoor pulse at Rs280 per kg.

Branded spices remain stable, with a 39-gram pack at Rs140. Rice prices are consistent, with best quality basmati at Rs12,800 per 40kg bag wholesale (Rs350 per kg retail), normal quality Basmati at Rs11,000 (Rs310 retail), and broken Basmati at Rs8,500 (Rs235 retail).

Ghee/cooking oil prices remain stable, with B-grade ghee/oil at Rs6,000 per carton wholesale (Rs460 per 900 grams retail), and premium brands like Dalda at Rs2,720 per 5kg tin/bottle.

Packed milk prices are stable at Rs2,250 per carton wholesale, with 250ml packs at Rs90 retail. Fresh milk ranges from Rs220 to Rs230 per kg, and yogurt is stable at Rs250 per kg. Powdered milk prices are also unchanged, with Nido (400g) at Rs1,320 and (200g) at Rs700.

Bathing soap prices are steady, with family-size Safeguard and Dettol at Rs165 per pack and Lux at Rs150. Detergent prices slightly increased to Rs570 per kg from Rs550. Cold drink prices are stable, with family-size bottles at Rs230.

LPG prices are officially fixed by OGRA at Rs245.20 per kg, but retailers are selling 15kg cylinders at Rs4,100 (OGRA fixed price Rs3,690), overcharging by Rs410. Decanted LPG is sold at even higher rates, at Rs300-330 per kg, reflecting an overcharge of Rs55-85 per kg.

Vegetables and Fruits

Overall, vegetable and fruit prices have increased. Potato prices rose to Rs2,300-4,000 per quintal wholesale (Rs50-65 per kg retail), while onion prices decreased to Rs1,500-2,500 per quintal wholesale (Rs30-45 per kg retail). Tomato prices are stable at Rs250 per 15kg basket (Rs30-40 per kg retail). Ginger is stable at Rs2,200 per 5kg wholesale (Rs525-550 per kg retail), local garlic at Rs400 (Rs160 retail), and China garlic at Rs1,150 (Rs300-320 retail).

Capsicum prices increased to Rs550 per 5kg wholesale (Rs140-150 per kg retail), pumpkin prices increased to Rs200-375 per 5kg wholesale (Rs55-100 per kg retail), tinda prices decreased to Rs100-300 per 5kg wholesale (Rs40-80 per kg retail), eggplant prices increased to Rs325 per 5kg (Rs80-90 per kg retail), cauliflower prices increased to Rs500 per 5kg wholesale (Rs120-140 per kg retail), and cabbage prices increased to Rs150 per 5kg (Rs50-60 per kg retail).

Okra prices decreased to Rs300 per 5kg wholesale (Rs80-90 per kg retail), bitter gourd prices decreased to Rs250 per 5kg (Rs65-75 per kg retail), green chilli prices are stable at Rs250-350 per 5kg wholesale (Rs90-100 per kg retail), beetroot prices decreased to Rs200 per 5kg (Rs55-60 per kg retail), local carrot prices decreased to Rs150 per 5kg (Rs50-55 per kg retail), China carrot prices are stable at Rs200 per 5kg (Rs60-70 per kg retail), and cucumber prices are stable at Rs170 per 5kg (Rs50-55 per kg retail).

Fresh bean prices are stable at Rs500 per 5kg (Rs120-140 per kg retail), yam prices increased to Rs900 per 5kg (Rs220-230 per kg retail), turnip prices decreased to Rs150 per 5kg (Rs50-55 per kg retail), peas prices increased to Rs1,000 per 5kg (Rs230-240 per kg retail), radish prices increased to Rs100 per 5kg (Rs35-45 per kg retail), spinach is available at Rs150 per 5kg (Rs15-20 per bundle), and coriander is available at Rs250 per 5kg wholesale (Rs30-35 per bundle).

Fruit prices generally increased, with local apples ranging from Rs140-400 per kg and guava prices increasing to Rs150-200 per kg. Banana prices increased to Rs100-220 per dozen. Melons range from Rs40-120 per kg, chikoo is at Rs250-275 per kg, papaya at Rs320-350 per kg, and lokat at Rs200-230 per kg. New arrival mangoes range from Rs150-250 per kg, cherry from Rs600-750 per kg, falsa from Rs350-400 per kg, peach from Rs150-250 per kg, and apricot from Rs175-300 per kg.

Significant discrepancies were noted between wholesale market prices and official prices fixed by market committees. Vendors were found selling bananas at varying prices, and mutton and wheat flour prices also differed significantly between shops. There are calls for strict enforcement of official price lists and for these lists to be prepared in consultation with traders’ unions.

Retailers are reportedly not displaying official price lists, which they are legally required to do.