As inflation continues to soar unabated, buying essential commodities is becoming increasingly impossible for the common man.
The apparent decrease in ghee and oil prices has also proven to be eyewash, as the weight of a 1kg oil pack has been reduced to 900 grams.
Destruction of crops due to floods in South Punjab and Sindh and lack of alternative supply has also led to a record increase in prices of vegetables and fruits in the open market, Sunday markets, Wednesday markets and informal markets.
The rates of pulses, meat, poultry, eggs and bread have also risen by 40%, while price control magistrates seem to be completely helpless in controlling the prices.
In the market, live chicken is being sold for Rs270 per kg, chicken meat for Rs400 per kg, eggs Rs212 per dozen, white gram Rs300 per kg, red beans Rs310 per kg, sugar Rs100 per kg, ghee Rs500 per litre, oil Rs600 per litre, milk Rs170 per litre, yoghurt Rs190 per kg, mutton Rs1,450 per kg and beef Rs900 per kg.
Similarly, potatoes are available for Rs70 per kg, onions Rs90 per kg, tomatoes Rs110 per kg, garlic Rs200 per kg, ginger Rs310 per kg, cucumber Rs80 per kg, lemon Rs230 per kg, green chilli Rs120 per kg, capsicum Rs200 per kg , bitter gourd Rs100 per kg, cabbage Rs100 per kg, pumpkin Rs70 per kg, eggplant Rs100 per kg, okra Rs110 per kg, tori Rs80 per kg, arvi Rs100 per kg, peas Rs280 per kg and coriander Rs30 per kg.
Among fruits, apples are for Rs200 per kg, mangoes Rs250 per kg, bananas Rs 110 per dozen, grapes Rs290 per kg, peaches Rs200 per kg and apricots Rs150 per kg.
Meanwhile, prices of savoury food items in the market have also increased enormously. The price of a single samosa has risen from Rs20 to Rs50, a plate of samosa chaat is now being sold for Rs120 instead of Rs90, pakoras are available for Rs300 per kg and their per plate price has increased from Rs50 to Rs90.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2022.
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