ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items have witnessed a reduction during this week past against the previous week, revealed a survey carried out by media, here on Saturday.
The survey noted that after a reduction in petroleum product prices, the long distance transporters like buses, trucks and trains have reduced their fares by Rs100-200 per passenger and per mund goods, while local transporters like taxis, rickshaws, vans and mini buses have not passed on the benefit to the end consumers. Normal air condition buses plying between Lahore Islamabad have reduced the fares by Rs100 per passenger from Rs1,800 to Rs1,700 and executive class buses reduced their fares from Rs3,000 to Rs2,800. Pakistan Railways has reduced passenger fares in the range of Rs100 to Rs150 per passenger depending on the distance and good transports plying across the country have also reduced their fares.
The survey noted a reduction in wheat flour price as the best quality flour is available at Rs1,380 from Rs1,400 per 15kg bag which in retail is being sold at Rs1,440 per kg against Rs1,520 and normal quality price went down from Rs1,450 to Rs1,380 per 15kg bag which in retail is being sold at Rs1,420 against Rs1,480 per bag.
Sugar price witnessed a decline in the wholesale market as the commodity is available at Rs7,100 against Rs7,200 per 50kg bag, while in retail, sugar is being sold at Rs150 per kg. Chicken prices went down from Rs16,200 to Rs15,200 per 40kg in the wholesale market which in retail is being sold at Rs430 per kg against Rs445 per kg and chicken meat is available at Rs700 per kg against Rs750, egg price is stable at Rs7,500 per carton of 30 dozens which in retail is being sold at Rs260-270 per dozen.
Mutton and beef prices remained stable as normal quality mutton is available at Rs2,100 per kg, normal quality boneless beef at Rs1,250 per kg, and normal beef at Rs1,050.
Tea prices witnessed no changes as Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs2,200 per 900grams pack and Islamabad Tea is available at Rs1,800 per kg; turmeric powder price went up from Rs600 to Rs900 per kg and red chilli powder price is stable at Rs600 per kg.
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices went up as the official commodity price hiked upward from Rs234 to Rs236 per kg while in the real market, LPG is being sold at Rs300 per kg, which is Rs64 per kg higher than the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA)’s set price of Rs236 per kg. The prices of branded spices such as Shan, National, and others, witnessed no changes as a pack of 39 grams spice is available at Rs130.
Following an increase in the prices of edible items during past few weeks, the restaurant and hotel owners have also increased the prices of cooked food items in the range of 10 to 20 percent.
The price of a cooked daal/vegetables plate at a normal hotel is being charged at Rs270 against Rs250 and naan/roti at Rs25/30 against Rs20/25.
Rice prices witnessed no a decline as the best quality basmati rice in wholesale market is available at Rs11,500 against Rs11,800 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs320 against Rs330, normal quality Basmati at Rs9,200 against Rs9,500 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs270 per kg, and broken Basmati at Rs8,000 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs220 per kg.
Ghee/cooking oil prices remained stable as B-grade ghee/oil is available vat Rs5,500 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs350-360 per pack, while best quality cooking oil/ghee brands such as Dalda ghee are available at Rs2,450 per 5kg tin and cooking oil at Rs2,500 per 5-litre bottle.
Pulses prices witnessed an increasing trend as the best quality maash is available at Rs600 against Rs540 per kg, gram pulse at Rs350 against Rs330 per kg, whole gram pulse at Rs350 against Rs330 per kg, various varieties of bean lentils are available in the range of Rs550-600 against Rs360-560 per kg, moong at Rs300 per kg, and masoor price at Rs300 per kg.