Eid holidays trigger price surge in Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

Due to the three-day Eidul Fitr holidays and the suspension of supplies from wholesale markets, the prices of essential food items, fruits, and vegetables skyrocketed in Rawalpindi and its outskirts on Sunday.

Neighbourhood shopkeepers drastically increased the prices of vegetables, fruits, and beverages while price magistrates were on holiday.

With wholesale markets closed, the surge in prices for vegetables, fruits, and chicken is expected to continue from Eid Day on Monday until Wednesday. Prices are likely to stabilise on the third or fourth day of Eid as markets reopen and supply improves.

In the open market, even small bundles of coriander, which were once given free as an add-on with vegetables, are now being sold for Rs40. Fruit prices soared dramatically as banana was sold for Rs300 per dozen, oranges Rs600 per dozen, grapes Rs500 per kg, pomegranates Rs450 per kg, apples Rs350 to Rs400 per kg, watermelon Rs70 per kg, melon Rs250 per kg, strawberries Rs400 per kg, and guavas was sold for Rs250 per kg Vendors charged Rs80 per kg for potatoes, Rs90 per kg for onions, Rs350 per kg per peas, Rs400 per kg for lemons, Rs250 per kg for taro root, Rs600 per kg for garlic, Rs580 per kg for ginger, Rs60 per kg for carrots, Rs200 per kg for bitter gourd, Rs200 per kg for green chilies, Rs400 per kg for ladyfinger, Rs60 per kg for cauliflower, and Rs400 per kg white chickpeas.

Furthermore, meat, poultry, and dairy prices also recorded sharp increases as chicken was sold for Rs1,000 per kg, eggs Rs265 per dozen, milk Rs240 per litre, yogurt Rs250 per kg, mutton Rs2,400 per kg, and beef was sold for Rs1,400 per kg.

Additionally, all beverage companies raised the prices of their drinks.