Food inflation spirals in Sunday markets as chicken being sold at Rs410 per kg, mutton at Rs2,500 per kg
Sugar crisis. (file) Photo
RAWALPINDI:
Sugar prices in Rawalpindi and Islamabad remain out of control, with open market rates at Rs200 per kilogram and rural areas selling at Rs210 per kilo. The administrations of both cities appear completely helpless in controlling prices.
The officially notified rate of Rs179 per kg is unavailable anywhere in the city. A fine, powder-like sugar has also been introduced in the market, but buyers are avoiding it. Retailers are selling this powdered sugar for Rs190 per kg.
According to the Kiryana Merchants Association, “If we are supplied sugar at Rs173 per kg, we are ready to sell it at Rs179.” They asked the district administration to identify which wholesale dealer is offering sugar at Rs173, saying they cannot buy expensive and sell cheap.
They said sugar mills, district administration vehicles and Sunday bazaars should provide subsidised sugar stalls instead. Retailers said they get sugar at Rs187 per kilo in wholesale, and their overhead cost is Rs12 per kg.
With diesel becoming more expensive, loading, unloading and transportation costs have surged further. New rates for sugar and pulses will be announced from Monday, November 17.
Prices of vegetables, meat, other essentials remain unchecked
Prices of vegetables, fruit, chicken, meat and eggs remain uncontrolled in Rawalpindi’s open markets, Sunday bazaars, budget markets and roadside stalls, leaving citizens distressed.
Sunday and “sasta bazaars” have also turned into centres of overpriced and rotten produce.
Chicken (live) is being sold for Rs410 per kg, chicken meat for Rs670, eggs for Rs350 per dozen, mutton for Rs2,500 per kg and beef for Rs1,600. Milk is priced at Rs220 per litre, yoghurt at Rs240, red roti at Rs15, white roti at Rs30, naan at Rs35, and roghni naan at Rs60.
White chickpeas cost Rs420 per kg, red beans Rs440, dal mash Rs550, and cooking oil and ghee pouches between Rs500 and Rs520.
Potatoes are Rs100 per kilogram, onions Rs200, ginger Rs650, garlic Rs500, peas Rs350, capsicum Rs200, cauliflower Rs130, radish Rs100, carrots Rs150, bitter gourd Rs120, tomatoes Rs150 and desi lemons Rs350 per kilogram.
Apples cost Rs250–350 per kilogram, grapes Rs450–600, pomegranates (Kandhari) Rs700, guavas Rs250, papaya Rs400, persimmons Rs200, bananas Rs150–200 per dozen, while fruiter/malta is selling for Rs250 per dozen.
