LAHORE: The Sunday bazaars witnessed hike in prices of several kitchen items including sugar, edible oil and pulses.
The sugar price surged in wholesale market, as a 49-kg bag was available at Rs 3200-3300, which was selling at Rs 3,000 during last week, leading to an increase of Rs5 per kg from Rs60 to Rs65 a kg. Prices of ghee and edible oil have also gone up by Rs10-15 per kg, as different brands have announced new rates during the last week.
The retail price of sugar has surged to Rs65 a kilogram after the government announced Rs6.5 billion (Rs13 a kg) export subsidy to millers in December 2015, when prices were Rs56. Though the wholesale price has risen from Rs56 to Rs60, but retailers are charging consumers an extra Rs4 per kg.
Moreover, flour prices also improved to Rs 4,100/ from Rs 4,000 per 85-kg in wholesale markets. Similarly, the retail rates also steadily increased as fine flour is being sold at Rs 52 per kg against the Rs 48 per kg, while brown flour was available at Rs 42 per kg against Rs 40 per kg.
A nominal cut in prices of gram flour was also seen being sold at Rs 70 per kilogram against Rs 90 per kg. Similarly, a slight decline also witnessed in rates of beverages with different quality and brands.
However, prices of all quality and varieties of pulses, slightly increased in market, as rice is available at Rs 110 per kg, against Rs 100 in the market. Price of Dal mash is being sold at Rs200 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs180 per kg, while white beans sold at Rs 115 per kilogram against Rs110. In the same way masoor price has increased from Rs 135 from Rs 115 per kg, dal masoor at Rs 125 per kg, gram flour at Rs 130. Likewise, a rise of Rs 50 has been registered in a 20-kg sac of flour.
