High prices reported at weekly bazaars

RAWALPINDI: Following cues from the rupee’s slide and the rise in fuel prices, a tsunami of price hike has taken over the open market with the price control committees and magistrates yet to have an effect despite gaining increased powers of imposing fines and sending profiteers to jails.

The prices of chicken have increased to Rs200 per kilogramme (kg) in the open market while in the weekly Sunday bazaars, it was being sold for marginally less at Rs195 per kg. Similarly, prices for mutton and beef have soared up to Rs950 and Rs500 per kg respectively. Ostrich meat was being sold for Rs1,150 per kg with bones, and Rs1,600 per kg for boneless.

The prices of common use vegetables such as potatoes, onions and tomatoes have all increased as well and were being sold for Rs15 per kg, Rs40 per kg and Rs75 per kg respectively.

Prices of spices such as ginger was Rs180 per kg, lemon was Rs170 per kg, spinach was Rs70 per kg, green chillies were for Rs64 per kg, eggplant was for Rs28 per kg, bitter gourd was for Rs76 per kg, ladyfinger for Rs115 per kg, peas for Rs45 per kg, turnips for Rs20 per kg, cabbage for Rs30 per kg and chickpeas of different varieties were being sold for up to Rs200 per kg.

Further, sugar was available for Rs60 per kg, rice was available for Rs170 per kg, ghee for Rs950 per tin, apples for up to Rs200 per kg, bananas were for up to Rs80 per dozen, strawberries were for Rs100 per kg, dates were for up to Rs270 per kg, pomegranates were for Rs200 kg and shaver eggs were for Rs74 per dozen.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2019.