Food prices rise ahead of budget approval

The adverse impact of the federal and provincial budgets has started appearing even before their formal approval.

A surge in new taxes, including general sales tax, has led to higher prices of food items, essentials, bakery products, cooking oil, ghee and flour. Weekly markets held on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday have also become centres of inflation.

Milk is being sold at Rs250-260 per litre, yoghurt at Rs280 per kilogram, mutton at Rs2,700 per kilogram, beef at Rs1,500 per kilogram, eggs at Rs210 per dozen, ghee at Rs550 per kilogram, cooking oil at Rs570 per litre, flour at Rs170 and sugar at Rs160 per kilogram.

White chickpeas are being sold at Rs420 per kilogram, gram pulse at Rs380, mash pulse at Rs580-600 and red kidney beans at Rs500 per kilogram.

Potatoes are available at Rs40 per kilogram, onions at Rs60-70, peas at Rs150, bitter gourd at Rs130, local lemons at Rs300, ginger at Rs300, garlic at Rs250, cauliflower at Rs100 and green chillies at Rs100 per kilogram.

Bananas are selling for Rs200-250 per dozen, mangoes at Rs250-300, watermelon at Rs50 per kg kilogram and melon and garma at Rs150 per kg.