Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items showed an upward trend during the last week compared to the previous week revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. Chicken prices went up from Rs 13,600 to Rs 16,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market. In retail, chicken is being sold at Rs430–450 per kg against Rs370–395 per kg, while chicken meat is available in the range of Rs600–700 per kg compared to Rs550–630 per kg, varying from area to area. Egg prices increased from Rs 5,900 to Rs 6,400 per carton (30 dozen) in the wholesale market, while in retail eggs are being sold in the range of Rs235–245 per dozen against Rs230–235. Meat prices remained stable, as normal-quality mutton is available in the range of Rs 2,600–2,700 per kg, while best quality is priced between Rs 2,800 and Rs 3,000 per kg. Normal-quality boneless beef is available from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,650 per kg, and mixed beef from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,400 per kg. Prices of various fish varieties witnessed no change, as they are available in the range of Rs450–800 per kg. The survey noted a reduction in sugar prices, which went down from Rs 7,200 to Rs 7,100 per 50kg bag in wholesale markets, while in retail sugar is being sold in the range of Rs150–160 per kg. Wheat flour prices also declined, falling from Rs 1,870 to Rs 1,840 per 15kg bag in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs 1,900–1,920 per 15kg bag. No changes were observed in roti, naan, and paratha prices, with roti at Rs25, naan at Rs30, and paratha at Rs60. Bakery and confectionery item prices also remained unchanged. Normal-sized bread is available at Rs150 (up from Rs140), small-sized bread at Rs110, and family-sized bread at Rs210. Ghee and cooking oil prices showed a mixed trend. B-grade ghee/oil prices went down from Rs 6,600 to Rs 6,400 per carton of 16 packs in the wholesale market, while in retail it is being sold at Rs420 per 900-gram pack. Best-quality brands such as Dalda remained stable at Rs 2,820 per 5kg tin, while in retail they are being sold at around Rs 2,900 per 5-litre bottle. Officially, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices remained unchanged, as the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has set the commodity price at Rs225 per kilogram. However, LPG marketing companies, distributors, and retailers have unilaterally increased the price by Rs700 per 15kg domestic cylinder (Rs46.66 per kg) and are selling LPG in the range of Rs375–400 per kg against the official rate of Rs225. A domestic cylinder containing 15kg LPG is being sold at Rs 5,400 compared to the official Rs 3,390, reflecting an overcharging of Rs 2,010 per cylinder. Marketing companies, distributors, and retailers are overcharging by Rs 2,010 per domestic cylinder and Rs175–200 per kg. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and other relevant authorities—including local representatives, commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, tehsildars, and representatives of traders, farmers, and retailers—are not effectively monitoring the market or enforcing official rates. As a result, consumers are compelled to pay higher prices. Prices of various rice varieties remained stable. Top-quality new basmati rice is available at Rs 12,500 per 40kg bag, retailing at Rs360 per kg. Normal-quality basmati is priced at Rs 11,000 per 40kg bag (Rs320 per kg retail), while good-quality broken basmati is available at Rs 8,300 per 40kg bag (Rs250 per kg retail). Lower-quality basmati is priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 6,500 per 40kg bag, retailing in the range of Rs150–200 per kg. Tea prices remained stable. Lipton Yellow Label is available at Rs 2,000 per 900-gram pack, while Islamabad Tea is priced at Rs 1,700 per kg. Turmeric and red chilli powder prices showed no change: turmeric is available at Rs600 per kg in the wholesale market and Rs800–900 per kg in retail, while red chilli powder is priced at Rs650 per kg wholesale and Rs850–900 per kg in retail. Prices of cooked food items also remained stable. A cooked dal/vegetable plate at a standard hotel is available at Rs320, a beef plate at Rs550, a chicken plate at Rs500, and a mutton plate at Rs750. Naan/roti is being sold at Rs25–30, and a cup of tea costs Rs70–100. No changes were observed in the prices of branded spices such as Shan and National, which are available at Rs150 per 39-gram pack. According to traders, prices of various pulses remained unchanged. Mash pulse in the wholesale market is available at Rs 14,300 per 40kg, which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs430–480 per kg. Gram pulse is priced at Rs 9,000 per 40kg (Rs240–250 per kg retail), while best-quality whole gram is available at Rs 10,000 per 40kg (Rs260–275 per kg retail). Normal gram pulse is being sold at Rs260 per kg. Various bean lentils are priced at Rs 15,000–18,000 per 40kg, retailing at Rs430–550 per kg. Moong pulse is available at Rs 12,500 per 40kg, retailing at Rs350 per kg, while masoor pulse is priced at Rs 9,000 per 40kg and Rs250 per kg in retail. Packed milk prices, including Milk-Pak and Olpers, witnessed an increase. A carton of one-litre packs is available at Rs 4,150 compared to Rs 4,000, while in retail a one-litre pack is being sold at Rs370 against Rs360. The price of a carton of 250ml packed milk remained stable at Rs 2,500, with retail prices at Rs100 per pack. Fresh milk in some parts of the twin cities is being sold at Rs250 per litre, while in other areas it remains at Rs240 per litre. Yogurt prices are stable at Rs250 per kg. No changes were observed in powdered milk prices, such as Nido and Lactogen; a 400-gram Nido pack is available at Rs 1,350, while a 200-gram pack is priced at Rs750. Overall, bathing soap prices remained stable. Safeguard is available at Rs165 per pack, while Dettol, Lux, Palmolive, and others are priced at Rs180 per pack. Detergents such as Ariel, Surf, Brite, and Express Power also remained stable at Rs580 per kg pack. Prices of soft drinks, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Mirinda, remained unchanged, with a family-size bottle available at Rs230. Vegetable prices showed a mixed trend. Potato prices increased from Rs800–1,100 to Rs 1,200–1,500 per quintal, while in retail they are being sold at Rs45–65 per kg against Rs40–60 per kg; the official price is Rs21–28 per kg. Onion prices rose from Rs 3,600–6,700 to Rs 6,600–8,700 per quintal, retailing at Rs100–130 per kg against Rs70–100, while the official price is Rs85–113 per kg. Tomato prices surged from Rs350 to Rs750 per 15kg basket, with retail rates at Rs75–100 per kg against Rs40–45; the official price is Rs61–85 per kg. Ginger prices declined from Rs 1,200–1,700 to Rs 1,000–1,200 per 5kg in wholesale markets, retailing at Rs400–450 per kg against Rs450–550; the official rate is Rs303–360 per kg. Garlic prices also decreased. Local garlic dropped from Rs800 to Rs650 per 5kg (Rs250–300 retail vs Rs270–350), while the official rate is Rs167–206 per kg. Quetta garlic declined from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,200 per 5kg (Rs400–450 retail), with an official rate of Rs266–315 per kg. China garlic fell from Rs 2,700 to Rs 2,300 per 5kg, retailing at Rs700–750 per kg, while the official rate is Rs545–600 per kg. However, many vendors reportedly sell local garlic as imported to increase profits. Capsicum prices decreased from Rs400 to Rs300 per 5kg, retailing at Rs100–120 per kg against Rs130–150; the official price is Rs73–85 per kg. Pumpkin prices increased from Rs150–400 to Rs200–550 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs70–160 per kg. Tinda prices rose from Rs300–450 to Rs400–500 per 5kg, retailing at Rs120–150 per kg. Eggplant prices declined from Rs325 to Rs275 per 5kg, retailing at Rs80–100 per kg. Cauliflower increased to Rs220–250 from Rs170–200 per 5kg, with retail prices at Rs70–80 per kg. Turnip prices dropped to Rs120 from Rs150 per 5kg, retailing at Rs50–60 per kg. Cabbage remained stable at Rs150 per 5kg (Rs60–70 retail). Fresh beans declined from Rs300 to Rs275 per 5kg, retailing at Rs75–100 per kg. Peas increased to Rs300 from Rs200 per 5kg, retailing at Rs80–100 per kg. Okra rose to Rs 1,000 from Rs850 per 5kg, retailing at Rs275–300 per kg. Carrot prices remained stable at Rs150 per 5kg, retailing at Rs55–75 per kg. Bitter gourd increased from Rs600 to Rs650 per 5kg, retailing at Rs180–200 per kg. The official rate list is issued in consultation with stakeholders, allowing profit margins of Rs10–20 per kg near wholesale markets, Rs15–30 in most parts of the city, and Rs20–40 in posh areas. However, most vendors, pushcart sellers, and shopkeepers are not complying with the official rates. Overall, fruit prices showed a declining trend. Bananas are priced at Rs140–300 per dozen. Apple prices increased from Rs200–500 to Rs250–550 per kg. White apples at Rs250 (cheapest) and Iranian Kalakilu apples remain at Rs550 (most expensive). Guava is available at Rs130–200 per kg. Oranges range from Rs120–400 per dozen, grapes from Rs700–900 per kg, and pomegranates from Rs600–800 per kg. Newly arrived strawberries dropped to Rs300–450 per kg from Rs600–700. Melons are priced at Rs120–200 per kg (down from Rs175–225), while watermelons range from Rs80–130 per kg (down from Rs100–150). Berries are available at Rs100–130 per kg. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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