Prices of essential food items remain unchanged

Essential food prices in Peshawar stayed high in a weekly survey conducted by Business Recorder on Sunday. A kilogram of live chicken or meat was priced at Rs375, while boneless cow meat sold for Rs1350 per kilogram, well above the official rate of Rs900 set by local authorities. Mutton beef ranged from Rs2800 to Rs3000 per kilogram in the open market.

Sugar remained at Rs152 per kilogram in retail, but flour prices rose. Traders in Peshawar linked the increase to a continuing ban on wheat and flour supply from Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A 20-kg flour bag was listed at Rs3200, against Rs3000 and Rs2900 in wholesale and retail markets, while an 80-kg sack reached Rs14000 from Rs13000. They warned that prices could rise further.

Onion prices touched a new peak, selling at Rs180 to Rs200 per kilogram against Rs80 to Rs100 earlier. Cooking oil and ghee prices kept an upward trend across various brands, while pulses held steady in retail. Good quality rice sold at Rs360 per kilogram, while apples were priced at Rs400 to Rs500 per kilogram.