Prices of essential kitchen items show mixed trend

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items showed a mixed trend during the last week as compared to the previous week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed. The survey observed a reduction of Rs400 per 40kg in chicken prices, which declined from Rs10, 200 to Rs9, 800 per 40kg in the wholesale market. In the retail market, live chicken is being sold at Rs290-310 per kg, compared to Rs300-320 per kg a week earlier. Similarly, chicken meat prices fell from Rs450-500 to Rs430-470 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices also declined significantly, with the price per carton dropping by Rs1, 300 from Rs6, 000 to Rs4, 700 in the wholesale market. Each carton contains 30 dozen eggs. In the retail market, eggs are being sold in the range of Rs200-210 per dozen, compared to Rs240-250 per dozen previously. Meat prices remained stable, with normal-quality mutton available in the range of Rs2, 700-2, 800 per kg and premium-quality mutton selling for Rs3, 000-3, 200 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef is available at Rs1, 700 per kg, while mixed beef is being sold at Rs1, 500 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties also remained unchanged, with different types of fish available in the range of Rs550-1, 000 per kg. Sugar prices remained stable at Rs7, 000 per 50kg bag in the wholesale market, while retail prices ranged between Rs150 and Rs160 per kg. Wheat flour prices also remained unchanged at Rs1, 900 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market and Rs1, 930-1, 950 per 15kg bag in retail markets. Prices of roti, naan and paratha remained stable, with roti selling at Rs20, naan at Rs30 and paratha at Rs60. No changes were observed in bakery and confectionery items. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 up from Rs140, while small-sized bread is being sold at Rs110 and family-sized bread at Rs210. Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A plate of cooked daal or vegetables at an average hotel is available at Rs320, a cooked beef plate at Rs550, a cooked chicken plate at Rs500 and a cooked mutton plate at Rs750. At some tea stalls, the price of a cup of tea has declined from Rs70 to Rs50; however, most restaurants continue to sell tea in the range of Rs70-100 per cup. No changes were observed in the prices of branded spices following the launch of a special promotional scheme by manufacturers, under which the price of a 39-gram pack was reduced from Rs150 to Rs130. Ghee and cooking oil prices also remained stable. The price of B-grade ghee/oil stood at Rs6, 600 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, while in retail it continued to be sold at Rs430 per 900-gram pack. Premium cooking oil and ghee brands, such as Dalda, were available at Rs2, 880 per 5kg tin, while in retail a 5-litre bottle was being sold for around Rs3, 000. Officially, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has fixed the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at Rs308. 76 per kilogram. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are selling LPG in the range of Rs425-450 per kg, well above the official rate. A domestic LPG cylinder containing 15kg is being sold for around Rs6, 600, which is Rs1, 968 higher than the official price of Rs4, 631. This situation indicates that LPG marketing companies, distributors and retailers are overcharging consumers by Rs118-142 per kg and Rs1, 968 per 15kg domestic cylinder. According to market observers, OGRA and other relevant authorities — including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers and retailers—have failed to effectively monitor the market and enforce official prices. As a result, consumers have been compelled to pay inflated rates for the past eight years. Prices of various rice varieties remained stable. Premium-quality basmati rice was available at Rs13, 000 per 40kg bag and was being sold in retail markets at around Rs380 per kg. Normal-quality basmati rice was available at Rs11, 500 per 40kg bag and retailed at Rs340 per kg, while good-quality broken basmati was priced at Rs8, 700 per 40kg bag and sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets. Lower-grade rice varieties were available at Rs6, 500-7, 000 per 40kg bag and retailed in the range of Rs160-210 per kg. Tea prices remained stable, with Lipton Yellow Label available at Rs2, 000 per 900-gram pack and Islamabad Tea at Rs1, 700 per kg. Turmeric powder remained unchanged at Rs550 per kg in the wholesale market, while retailers were selling it in the range of Rs750-800 per kg. Similarly, red chilli powder was available at Rs550 per kg in the wholesale market and retailed at Rs750-800 per kg. Pulse prices also witnessed no significant changes. Mash pulse was available at Rs13, 500 per 40kg bag in the wholesale market and retailed at Rs420-450 per kg. Gram pulse was priced at Rs8, 500 per 40kg bag and sold at Rs250-260 per kg in retail markets. Premium-quality whole gram was available at Rs9, 200 per 40kg bag and retailed in the range of Rs270-290 per kg. Various varieties of bean lentils were available at Rs15, 200-17, 200 per 40kg bag and sold in retail markets at Rs410-520 per kg. Moong pulse was priced at Rs12, 000 per 40kg bag and retailed at around Rs330 per kg, while masoor pulse was available at Rs8, 300 per 40kg bag and sold at Rs260 per kg in retail markets. Packed milk prices, including brands such as Milk Pak, Olpers and others, witnessed no change during the week. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs4, 200, while in the retail market a one-litre pack is being sold at Rs370. Similarly, a carton of 250ml packs is available at Rs2, 500, while a 250ml pack is being sold at Rs100 in retail markets. Fresh milk in most parts of the twin cities is being sold at Rs250 per litre, while in some areas, particularly posh sectors, it is available in the range of Rs260-280 per litre. Yogurt is available at Rs250 per kg in most parts of the cities, while in posh sectors it is being sold in the range of Rs280-300 per kg. No changes were observed in the prices of powdered milk brands such as Nido and Lactogen. A 400-gram pack of Nido is available at Rs1, 100, while a 200-gram pack is being sold at Rs750. Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable. Safeguard family-size soap is available at Rs165 per bar, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive and other brands are being sold at around Rs180 per bar. Detergent prices, including Ariel, Surf, Brite, Express Power and other brands, also remained stable, with a one-kilogram pack available at Rs580. Prices of various soft drink brands, including Pepsi, Coke, Mirinda and others, remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230. Vegetable prices, however, showed a declining trend. Potato prices slightly decreased from Rs1, 200-1, 800 to Rs1, 100-1, 600 per quintal in the wholesale market, while retailers are selling potatoes in the range of Rs50-60 per kg against the official price of Rs22-32 per kg. Onion prices also declined, with wholesale rates falling to Rs3, 200-5, 700 per quintal from Rs4, 100-7, 000 per quintal a week earlier. In retail markets, onions are being sold in the range of Rs60-80 per kg compared to Rs70-100 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs43-74 per kg. Tomato prices increased from Rs650 to Rs900 per 15kg basket in the wholesale market. In retail markets, tomatoes are being sold in the range of Rs90-125 per kg compared to Rs75-100 per kg a week earlier, while the official price is fixed at Rs73-107 per kg. Ginger prices remained stable at Rs1, 350 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, ginger is being sold in the range of Rs450-500 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs363-399 per kg. Garlic prices largely remained stable. Local garlic is available at Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market and is being sold at Rs150-180 per kg in retail markets, while the official rate is fixed at Rs132-145 per kg. Quetta garlic is available at Rs1, 150 per 5kg and is being sold at Rs350-400 per kg in retail markets, against the official rate of Rs242-290 per kg. The price of Chinese garlic declined from Rs1, 500 to Rs1, 300 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail markets, it is being sold in the range of Rs450-500 per kg compared to Rs500-550 per kg previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs278-316 per kg. Capsicum prices increased from Rs550 to Rs750 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold in the range of Rs200-220 per kg compared to Rs170-180 previously. The official price is fixed at Rs169-200 per kg. Prices of various varieties of pumpkin remained stable at Rs170-220 per 5kg in the wholesale market, while in retail they are being sold in the range of Rs60-80 per kg, against an official rate of Rs67-73 per kg. Prices of different varieties of tinda also remained stable at Rs300-870 per 5kg, while in retail they are being sold in the range of Rs90-250 per kg, with an official rate of Rs82-224 per kg. Eggplant (brinjal) prices declined from Rs250 to Rs200 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail, it is being sold in the range of Rs65-75 per kg compared to Rs70-80 previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs55-63 per kg. Cauliflower prices increased from Rs450 to Rs600 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail, it is being sold in the range of Rs150-180 per kg compared to Rs130-150 previously, while the official price is fixed at Rs145-169 per kg. Turnip prices declined from Rs225 to Rs175 per 5kg. In retail, it is being sold at Rs60-70 per kg compared to Rs70-80 previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs48-55 per kg. Cabbage prices remained stable at Rs200 per 5kg in the wholesale market and are being sold in retail at Rs70-80 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs67-73 per kg. Fresh bean prices increased from Rs425 to Rs500 per 5kg, while in retail they are being sold in the range of Rs130-160 per kg, against an official rate of Rs121-132 per kg. Pea prices increased from Rs550 to Rs700 per 5kg, while in retail they are being sold in the range of Rs180-200 per kg compared to Rs150-170 previously. The official rate is fixed at Rs157-182 per kg. Okra prices increased from Rs250 to Rs300 per 5kg, while in retail it is being sold at Rs80-100 per kg, against an official rate of Rs73-85 per kg. Carrot prices increased from Rs370 to Rs450 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail, they are being sold at Rs110-130 per kg compared to Rs100-125 previously, while the government-fixed rate is Rs109-128 per kg. Bitter gourd prices remained stable at Rs230 per 5kg. In retail, it is being sold in the range of Rs70-80 per kg, while the official price is fixed at Rs67-73 per kg. Green chilli prices also remained stable at Rs250 per 5kg. In retail, they are being sold in the range of Rs80-100 per kg, while the official price is fixed at Rs73-85 per kg. Taro root prices declined from Rs600 to Rs500 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail, it is being sold in the range of Rs150-180 per kg compared to Rs160-200 previously, while the official rate is fixed at Rs145-169 per kg. Cucumber prices remained stable at Rs200 per 5kg. In retail, it is being sold at Rs65-75 per kg, while the official price is fixed at Rs61-65 per kg. Ridge gourd prices declined from Rs270 to Rs225 per 5kg in the wholesale market. In retail, it is being sold in the range of Rs75-90 per kg, while the official rate is fixed at Rs67-73 per kg. The official rate list is issued after close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, with a profit margin of Rs10-20 per kg for sellers around the wholesale market, Rs15-30 per kg for most parts of the capital city, and Rs20-40 per kg for sellers in posh areas. However, still no vendor, pushcart holder or shopkeeper is strictly following the official price list. Overall, fruit prices witnessed a declining trend as banana prices went down from Rs110-250 to Rs100-230 per dozen. Various varieties of apples are available in the range of Rs200-480 per kg, with white apples being the cheapest at Rs200 per kg, while Pakistani Kalakilo apples are the most expensive at Rs480 per kg. Mangoes are available in the range of Rs130-300 per kg. Apricots are available in the range of Rs180-300 per kg, compared to Rs200-350 previously. Peaches are available in the range of Rs130-275 per kg, compared to Rs150-300 previously. Various varieties of melons are available in the range of Rs60-170 per kg, while watermelons are available in the range of Rs30-50 per kg. Berries are being sold in the range of Rs100-130 per kg. Plums are available in the range of Rs350-550 per kg, and cherries are being sold at Rs450-600 per 500-gram pack. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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