Prices of kitchen items in Islamabad show rising trend

A Business Recorder survey of Islamabad markets, published on Saturday, found that the cost of many everyday kitchen staples climbed over the past seven days compared with the week before. Traders said the upward trend in edible prices has run for seven months, mainly because of the Middle East crisis, with fuel supplies disrupted by events around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-al-Mandab.

Chicken, eggs and sugar were among the items that moved higher. Wholesale chicken went from Rs13,000 to Rs13,800 per 40 kg, while retail eggs were priced at Rs265-275 per dozen, up from Rs260-270. Wholesale sugar rose from Rs6,950 to Rs7,050 per 50 kg bag, and the wholesale carton of B-grade ghee or cooking oil climbed from Rs7,000 to Rs7,150.

The survey also reported that LPG is selling well above the official rate fixed by OGRA for September, at Rs259 per kg. A 15 kg domestic cylinder costs Rs6,500-7,000 against the official Rs3,905, and the survey described that gap as overcharging. Wheat flour, bread and some tandoor items moved in different directions, with the wholesale flour price slipping from Rs2,150 to Rs2,130 per 15 kg bag.