Prices of vegetables, spices rise

Prices of vegetables and spices have started spiking as Eidul Azha nears in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with vendors citing prices of their own choice.

A survey of the markets in Rawalpindi showed that prices of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves have started increasing. The prices of mixed spices (garam masala) have seen an increase of Rs240 in its price and it is being sold in the market for Rs960 per kilogramme (kg).

Black pepper is now available for Rs560 per kg, up from Rs340, while cumin was being sold for Rs800 per kg. It has become a pattern that the rates of spices and vegetables surge when religious festivals draw near. Similarly, the prices of tomatoes have increased by Rs50 and are being sold for Rs100 per kg, while ginger was available for a whopping Rs500 per kg.

Speaking on the fluctuation in the rates, retailers held the wholesalers responsible, they said that they could not sell the commodities at cheaper rates if they were purchasing them at higher rates. The Express Tribune learnt that every retailer is selling daily-use items at their own rates. A customer, Shamsuddin, who works as a security guard, said that it had be.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2020.