Fuel price hike drives food inflation

Freight charges double, prices of essential food items continue to rise

RAWALPINDI:

A sharp increase in petroleum prices has doubled transportation costs from wholesale markets in Karachi, Faisalabad and Sargodha, leading to a continued rise in prices of essential food items.

In the open market, milk is being sold at Rs230 per kg, yogurt at Rs240–250 per kg, gram pulse at Rs390 per kg, rice at Rs400 per kg, mutton at Rs2,700 per kg and beef at Rs1,500 per kg. White chickpeas are priced at Rs430 per kg, red beans at Rs550 per kg, black gram at Rs580 per kg and chicken at Rs620 per kg.

Among vegetables, potatoes are priced at Rs50 per kg, onions at Rs80, tomatoes at Rs250, lemons at Rs150, garlic at Rs500 and ginger at Rs450–550 per kg. Green coriander is Rs30 per bunch, okra Rs300 per kg, bitter gourd Rs150 per kg, cauliflower Rs90–100 per kg, capsicum Rs100 per kg and peas Rs90 per kg.

Fruit prices include guava at Rs200–250 per kg, apples at Rs300–400 per kg, bananas at Rs250 per dozen, citrus fruits at Rs300–400 per dozen, pomegranates at Rs700 per kg, grapes at Rs650–750 per kg, papaya at Rs350 per kg, strawberries at Rs350 per kg, pears at Rs500 per kg, and melons at Rs200 per kg.

Coconut is being sold at Rs500 per piece.