Decline in Essential Kitchen Item Prices Observed

A recent survey indicates a decrease in the prices of essential kitchen commodities compared to the previous week.

Chicken and Eggs

Wholesale chicken prices have fallen from Rs15,800 to Rs13,600 per 40kg. Consequently, retail prices have adjusted to Rs370 per kg, down from Rs430, and chicken meat is now available at Rs600 per kg, a decrease from Rs650. Conversely, egg prices have seen a slight rise, moving from Rs5,700 to Rs5,850 per carton of 30 dozen. In retail, eggs are being sold for Rs240-245 per dozen, compared to the previous Rs230-235.

Sugar, Mutton, and Beef

The price of sugar remains steady at Rs8,000 per 50 kg bag in the wholesale market. Retail sugar prices are at Rs170 per kg, a slight decrease from Rs175. Mutton and beef prices have shown stability, with normal quality mutton at Rs2,200 per kg, boneless beef at Rs1,400 per kg, and regular beef at Rs1,100 per kg. A variety of fish are being offered in the range of Rs500 to Rs900 per kg.

Tea, Turmeric, and Chilli Powder

Tea prices have remained consistent, with Lipton Yellow Label at Rs2,200 per 900 grams and Islamabad Tea at Rs1,800 per kg. Normal quality turmeric and red chilli powder are both priced at Rs700 per kg.

Wheat Flour

Wheat flour prices have experienced a further reduction. The best quality flour is now available at Rs1,100 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market, reduced from Rs1,200. Retail prices reflect this change, selling at Rs1,150 per bag instead of Rs1,250. Normal quality wheat flour is priced at Rs1,060 per 15kg bag, down from Rs1,160, and retails for Rs1,100, a decrease from Rs1,200 per bag.

Other Commodities

Cigarette manufacturers have reportedly begun increasing prices, with Capstan now at Rs250 per pack, up from Rs240.

Pulses prices remain unchanged, with maash pulse at Rs440 per kg, gram pulse at Rs300 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs270 per kg, bean lentils between Rs450-550 per kg, moong at Rs400 per kg, and masoor pulse at Rs280 per kg.

Cooked food prices are holding steady. A daal/vegetable plate at a standard restaurant costs Rs320, a beef plate Rs550, a chicken plate Rs500, mutton Rs750, and naan/roti are priced at Rs25/30.

Branded spices like Shan and National remain constant, with a 39-gram pack at Rs140. Rice prices have risen, with top-quality basmati increasing from Rs11,500 to Rs12,500 per 40kg bag in wholesale, now retailing at Rs350 per kg compared to Rs320. Normal quality Basmati has increased from Rs9,500 to Rs10,500 per 40 kg bag, retailing at Rs310 per kg versus Rs280. Broken Basmati has risen from Rs7,000 to Rs8,000 per 40kg bag, now retailing at Rs230 per kg, up from Rs200.

Ghee, Cooking Oil, and Milk

Ghee and cooking oil prices have decreased, with B-grade ghee/oil falling from Rs6,350 to Rs6,000 per carton of 16 packs in wholesale, retailing at Rs460 per 900-gram pack. Top-quality brands like Dalda ghee remain at Rs2,720 per 5kg tin and cooking oil at Rs2,720 per 5-litre bottle.

Packed milk brands like Milk Pak and Olpers are stable at Rs2,250 per carton wholesale, with 250ml packs retailing at Rs90. Fresh milk varies between Rs220 and Rs230 per kg, and yogurt is steady at Rs250 per kg. Powdered milk brands like Nido and Lactogen are unchanged, with 400gram Nido at Rs1,320 and 200gram at Rs700 per pack.

Soaps, Detergents, and Drinks

Bathing soap prices are stable, with family-size Safeguard and Dettol at Rs165 per pack, and Lux at Rs150. Detergent prices have slightly increased, with Ariel, Surf, Brite, and Express Power at Rs570 per kg pack, compared to Rs550. Cold drink prices for Pepsi, Coke, and Miranda remain at Rs230 for a family-size bottle.

LPG Prices

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has set the LPG price at Rs244.54 per kg, but it is being sold at Rs300-330 per kg in the market, an overcharge of Rs56-86 per kg. Distributors blame marketing companies for the inflated prices, while the OGRA and other relevant authorities have allegedly failed to enforce official rates.

Vegetables and Fruits

Vegetable and fruit prices are mostly stable. Potatoes in wholesale are between Rs1,800-3,500 per quintal, retailing at Rs45-60 per kg, compared to Rs50-70. Onion prices have decreased from Rs1,900-3,400 to Rs1700-3,200 per quintal wholesale, now retailing at Rs35-50 per kg, down from Rs40-60. Tomato prices remain stable at Rs300 per 15kg basket, retailing at Rs40-60 per kg. Ginger has decreased from Rs1,200 to Rs1,100 per 5kg wholesale, now at Rs360-380 per kg retail, down from Rs375-400. Local garlic has decreased from Rs650 to Rs500 per 5 kg, retailing at Rs200 per kg instead of Rs250, while China garlic is stable at Rs1,500 per 5kg wholesale, retailing at Rs380-450 per kg.

Capsicum has risen from Rs150 to Rs175 per 5kg wholesale, retailing at Rs45-55 per kg, compared to Rs40-50. Pumpkin varieties have decreased from Rs200-230 to Rs100-200 per 5kg wholesale, now retailing at Rs40-65 per kg, down from Rs60-70. Tinda has increased from Rs150-230 to Rs270-450 per 5kg, retailing at Rs75-120 per kg, up from Rs50-70. Eggplant has decreased from Rs225 to Rs175 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50-60 per kg, down from Rs60-70. Cauliflower has increased from Rs150 to Rs175 per 5kg wholesale, retailing at Rs50-60 per kg, and cabbage remains at Rs100 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50-60 per kg.

Okra is stable at Rs650 per 5kg wholesale, retailing at Rs175-200. Bitter gourd has decreased from Rs350 to Rs300 per 5kg, now retailing at Rs80-90 per kg, down from Rs90-100. Green chilli is stable at Rs300-400 per 5kg wholesale, retailing at Rs100-120 per kg. Beetroot has decreased from Rs400 to Rs250 per 5kg, retailing at Rs65-75 per kg, down from Rs90-120. Local carrot has increased from Rs120 to Rs150 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50-55 per kg, up from Rs40-45, while China carrot is stable at Rs175 per 5 kg, retailing at Rs55-60 per kg, and cucumber has increased from Rs150 to Rs175 per 5kg, retailing at Rs55-65 per kg.

Fresh Bean has increased from Rs350 to Rs450 per 5kg, retailing at Rs110-130 per kg, compared to Rs90-110. Yam is stable at Rs700 per 5kg, retailing at Rs170-190 per kg; turnip is stable at Rs125 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50-55 per kg; peas are stable at Rs400 per 5kg, retailing at Rs100-110 per kg; radish is stable at Rs75 per 5kg, retailing at Rs30-35 per kg, spinach is at Rs150 per 5kg, retailing at Rs15-20, and Coriander is at Rs250 per 5kg wholesale, retailing at Rs30-35 per bundle of 250 grams.

Fruit prices are decreasing, with local apples at Rs110-340 per kg, compared to Rs120-350. Guava has decreased from Rs120-160 to Rs110-150 per kg. Bananas have decreased from Rs120-250 to Rs100-240 per dozen; oranges are at Rs400-500 per dozen. Melons are at Rs40-80 per kg, compared to Rs40-110; strawberries are at Rs70-100 per kg and pomegranates at Rs450-550 per kg, Chikoo at Rs250-275 per kg, papaya at Rs180-220 per kg, down from Rs200-250, and lokat at Rs160-180 per kg, down from Rs200-250.

There is a noted price discrepancy between wholesale markets and official rates set by market committees. Consumers cite a lack of monitoring by authorities for artificial price increases.

Retailers are reportedly not displaying official price lists or providing them upon request, a legal obligation.