Prices of all essential kitchen items have been increased significantly ahead of Eidul Azha, reveals a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Retailers and wholesalers from different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad have increased the prices of all essential kitchen items, including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, sugar, wheat flour bag and milk (fresh) last week as compared to the preceding week.
During the week under review, tomatoes were being sold at Rs 85 per kg against Rs 80 per kg week past price, reflecting an increase of Rs 5 per kg, onions were available at Rs 80 per kg against Rs 83 per kg week past price, reflecting an increase of Rs 3 per kg, potatoes were being sold at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 65 per kg week past price , registering an increase of Rs 5 per kg, sugar price was increased by Rs 2 per kg and was available at Rs 60 per kg against Rs 58 per kg week past price, garlic was being sold at Rs 140-200 per kg, wheat flour bag (20 kg) was available at Rs 810-820 and milk fresh was being sold at Rs 95-100 per litre last week as compared to the preceding week. 
A vegetable vendor in Abpara Market said that prices of vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, green chili and garlic would increase 100 percent during the Eid days due to their demand as they are used as basic ingredient for any meal.
Mix trend was noted in the prices of other vegetables last week as compared to the preceding week as considerable increase was noted in the prices of peas which was being sold at Rs 140 per kg against Rs 120 per kg week past price, registering an increase of Rs 20 per kg, radish was being sold at Rs 82-83 per kg against Rs 80 per kg week past price, registering an increase of Rs 2-3 per kg and green chili was being sold at Rs 110 per kg while prices of other vegetables remained stable like carrot was being sold at Rs 100 per kg, shimla mirch at Rs 120 per kg, keralla at Rs 70 per kg, arvi at Rs 80 per kg, cabbage at Rs 60-80 per kg and cucumber was being sold at Rs 90-100 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week.
Meanwhile, fruits prices remain unchanged last week as compared to the preceding week, as banana was available at Rs 80-120 per dozen, apple at Rs 100-200 per kg, grapes at Rs 200-300 per kg and guava was being sold at Rs 160 per kg last week as compared to the preceding week.
The survey noted that prices of non perishable food items like tea, spices and black pepper also registered increase in their prices last week as compared to the preceding week as tea packet (200 GM) was being sold at Rs 163. However, prices of non perishable food items including pulses remained stable as Masoor washed was available at Rs 120-130, Moong washed at Rs 130-150 per kg, mash washed at Rs 140-160 per kg and basmati rice broken was being sold at Rs 90 per kg.
Meanwhile, meat prices remain unchanged last week as compared to the preceding week as mutton was available at 600-620 per kg, beef was being sold at Rs 280-300 per kg while slight decline was witnessed in chicken prices as it was being sold at Rs 140 per kg against Rs 145-150 per kg week past price.
Source: http://www.brecorder.com
