December 2, 2001	Sunday	Ramazan 16, 1422

KARACHI, Dec 1: Consumers have been hit by price flare-up in some vegetables and poultry products on rising demand in Ramazan.

Buying spree has been fully seized by retailers to raise prices, helped by the Bureau of Supply and Prices (BSP), which has also fixed the prices of essentials on higher side in a changed demand and supply position.

A monthly price survey from November 1 to December 1 revealed a surge in onion prices by 50-100 paisa per kg to Rs7-8 from Rs6-7 per kg.

There has been a regular supply of onion from Sindh crop, but exports has created slight shortage in the local market.

Ginger is costlier by Rs4 per kg at Rs60, while the price of garlic has fallen to Rs46 per kg from Rs48.

Tomato prices shot up to Rs16 per kg against Rs14-15 last month, while potato prices remained unchanged at Rs10-17 per kg.

In pulses, only arhar prices have gone up to Rs35 per kg depending on the quality from Rs32-33 per kg, while gram pulse, which was quoted at Rs40 per kg on November, is now tagged at Rs35 per kg. Price of moong is unchanged at Rs30 per kg, while mash is being sold at Rs35-37 per kg as compared to Rs40-42. Masur price is being quoted at Rs26-31 per kg as compared to Rs33-36 the last month.

According to Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), egg prices have gone up to Rs33 per dozen from Rs30, while the poultry live bird prices are quoted at Rs62 per kg as compared to Rs48 on November 1. The retailers are demanding Rs109 per kg for poultry meat as compared to Rs84.

Ample stocks and frequent supply from mills caused a price fall in sugar to Rs21 per kg from Rs22-23.

Rice prices are still unchanged. Irri 6-9 is selling at Rs11-18 per kg, while the price of various varieties of basmati stay at Rs24-36 per kg. Kernel is being sold at Rs40-45 per kg. The minimum price of basmati is quoted at Rs20-28 per kg, while its lowest quality is retailed at Rs18-20 per kg.

In fruits, Kinoo has finally arrived in the market at rates ranging between 15 and 20 per dozen. Prices of apple varieties, arriving from Quetta, hover between Rs15 and Rs50 per kg depending on the quality. Banana (from Sindh) prices are tagged at Rs11-22 per dozen. Melon (from Sindh) prices range between Rs9 and Rs13 per kg.