Fuel price hike triggers surge in food prices

Transport costs jump 40% as prices of grocery items soar in open market

RAWALPINDI:

Following an increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene oil and transport fares, prices of all food items, essential commodities, vegetables, fruits and grocery items have sharply increased in the open market, dampening Eid shopping and spoiling the festive spirit of low-income and government employees.

Prices at low-cost facilitation markets, carts and pushcart bazaars have also doubled, while the price control system has become ineffective.

In the open market, prices of all varieties of pulses, rice and spices have increased by Rs30 to Rs50 per kilogram.

There is no wholesale grain market in Rawalpindi, and all grocery items and wheat are transported from Sargodha and Faisalabad, where transportation charges have doubled.

The president of the Grocery Merchants Association has demanded that the price control committee convene a meeting to determine new prices for pulses, rice, sugar, flour and other commodities.

In the open market, white chickpeas are being sold at Rs450 per kg, red beans at Rs440 per kg, mash pulse at Rs550 per kg, gram pulse at Rs360 per kg and moong pulse at Rs340 per kg.

Flour is available at Rs155 per kg, refined flour at Rs165 per kg and gram flour at Rs350 to Rs380 per kg. Juice is being sold at Rs1,000 per bottle.

Among fruits, apples are being sold at Rs300 to Rs400 per kg, guava at Rs250 to Rs300 per kg, pomegranate at Rs700 to Rs800 per kg, strawberries at Rs650 per kg, grapes at Rs700 to Rs800 per kg, papaya at Rs350 to Rs400 per kg and watermelon and melon at Rs200 to Rs250 per kg.

Bananas are being sold at Rs200 to Rs300 per dozen, while kinnow, malta and oranges are priced between Rs300 and Rs400 per dozen. Chinese pears are being sold at Rs500 per kg and coconut at Rs500 per piece.

Chicken meat is being sold at Rs520 per kg, mutton at Rs2,500 per kg and beef at Rs1,400 per kg.