Prices of 21 commodities increase in Pakistan

The prices of 21 commodities went up in Pakistan as compared with the preceding month while those of 18 came down and 12 remained unchanged, said a Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) report on Saturday. The report said Fafen Retail Price Monitors observed prices of 52 commodities and services at 196 retail outlets in 108 districts. The statistics reveal vegetable prices increased in Ramadan– tomatoes up 69 per cent, onions 24 per cent and potatoes 9 per cent. However, fruit prices declined in the reporting month as compared with those recorded in July - dark red apples down 31 per cent, golden apples 30 per cent and bananas per dozen 6 per cent. Among poultry and meat items, only the price of farm eggs registered 7 per cent increase. Live broiler chicken and chicken meat fell 19 per cent and 18 per cent while beef and mutton saw no change, the report said. Rice varieties ‘basmati-386’ and ‘irri-6’ went up 2 per cent and 1 per cent but the price of basmati broken remained unchanged. On the pulses side, black gram and red beans each recorded 1 per cent increase while washed mash and washed masoor pulses dropped 3 per cent and washed moong by 2 per cent. The prices of gram pulse, chickpeas and white beans remained constant. A hike of 3 per cent and 1 per cent was seen in wheat grain and wheat flour prices. In the spices and condiments category, only garlic went up 1 per cent while all other items saw a decline - turmeric (loose) and red chili powder dropping 5 per cent each, ginger 3 per cent and salt powder 1 per cent. The prices of hot tea (one cup) and a plate of cooked vegetables increased 5 per cent each. Similarly, a plate of cooked daal also went up 4 per cent. Yoghurt and fresh milk registered a hike of 2 per cent and 1 per cent. Desi shaker fell 2 per cent but gur and sugar prices remained unchanged. Branded vegetable ghee, cooking oil and mustard oil (loose) dropped 1 per cent each. Also down were the prices of some kitchen fuels like LPG (11 per cent) and kerosene oil (3 per cent). From gulftoday