KARACHI, Feb 1: The increase in prices of sugar, ghee, cooking oil and egg in last one month has offset the impact of relief for consumers in other items like pulses and vegetables.

Ghee and cooking oil producers played havoc with the prices as they first reverted the consumer price off scheme after Ramazan by Rs5 to Rs30 on 2.5 to 5 litre tins. But buyers were shocked to see the new products in the market, carrying another price increase by Rs2 per kg.

For example, Dalda ghee five litre tin now carries price of Rs345 instead of Rs335. Its price was brought down to Rs305 ahead of Ramazan. Other manufacturers also played the same trick to fleece the consumers.

A price survey (from Jan 1 to Jan 31) also reveals an increase in sugar prices to Rs22 per kg from Rs21 per kg despite the fact that the crushing season is in full swing and mills have maintained an inventory of 1.150 million tons.

Retailers said that if some quantity from the stocks is released in the markets, the prices will definitely fall by Rs one or two per kg.

Rising demand in winter season and short supply from the farms can be attributed to price hike in eggs by Re1 per dozen to Rs36 from Rs35 per dozen.

In vegetables, ginger, arriving from China, is the exceptional case of price surge, rising to Rs60-70 per kg from Rs50-56 per kg. Its wholesale price ranges between Rs50-55 per kg.

In other items, frequent supply from local crops, cheaper imports and lower consumers’ demand kept the prices of essential items intact or resulted in a fall. The cut in war risk levy by foreign shipping lines coupled with stability in exchange parity also played a major role in keeping the prices of imported goods intact at old levels.

Retailers are still in no mood to pass on the benefit to the consumers despite lifting items at cheaper rates from the wholesalers.

Onion prices held unchanged at last month’s level of Rs8 per kg despite the fact that its wholesale prices have been ranging between Rs4 to 5 per kg. Onion, arriving from Sindh crop, is also being exported to the Middle East.

Potato from Punjab’s crop also sells at Rs8 per kg, depicting no change. In Subzi Mandi, its price ranges between Rs5 to 6 per kg and is also being shipped to Colombo.

Tomato prices also registered no change, selling at Rs10 per kg despite low wholesale prices hovering between Rs5 to 6 per kg. Tomato is arriving from new crop of Sindh. Garlic, arriving from local crop and China, sells at old rates of Rs40-48 per kg. Its wholesale price is Rs20-22 per kg.

Frequent supply from Malir and Punjab also stabilized the prices of peas in the markets to Rs10-12 per kg from Rs15-20 per kg. Its wholesale prices also plunged to Rs7-8 from Rs15-18 per kg. Prices of carrot (from Sindh crop) also dropped to Rs7- 10 per kg from Rs12-15 per kg. Its wholesale prices caved in to Rs5 per kg from Rs8-10 per kg.

President, Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Markets, Super Highway said that overall there is no shortage of any commodity.

The chairman, Karachi Wholesale Grocers Group (KWGG), Anis Majeed and general secretary, Karachi Retail Grocers Group (KRGG), Farid Qureishi said that prices of various items are intact at old levels. Pulses have dropped due to lack of buying activity.

Arhar prices fell to Rs30 per kg from Rs33 per kg while gram pulse prices held unchanged at Rs29 from last month’s Rs33 per kg. Mung price remained pegged at old rate of Rs28 per kg while mash prices fell to Rs30 per kg from Rs32-34 per kg. No change was seen prices of masur at Rs26-28 per kg.

Poultry prices sank to Rs56 per kg from Rs62 per kg and retailers were demanding Rs95 per kg for poultry meat from 109 per kg.

Atta No. 2.5 sells at Rs 10 per kg while fine atta produced by mills is tagged at Rs11.50 per kg.

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. Kernal is 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 rates hover between Rs15-30 per dozen. Prices of apple varieties, arriving from Quetta, range between Rs20-50 per kg depending on the quality. Banana (from Sindh) prices are tagged at Rs11-22 per dozen.