KARACHI, July 1: The new budget has not caused any major shake up in the prices of essential commodities except for increase in rates of ghee and cooking oil. While the increase in prices of poultry and soap in the last one month has nothing to do with the budgetary measures.

Leading branded ghee producer, Lever Brothers, took the lead in increasing the prices soon after the budget by Rs10 per kg due to levy of 15 per cent sales tax at factory level. The new price of five-litre ghee tin and cooking oil is now Rs395. Other packers seem hesitant to pass on the impact to the consumers, hoping the government will consider the request of Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) of seeking duty cut on import of palm oil to offset the levy of GST at retail stage.

A monthly price survey (from June 1 to July 1) reveals a price surge of Rs70-80 in 16-kg Kissan Ghee tin to Rs800-810 from Rs725, while the Hilal brand is now selling at Rs745 as compared to Rs645.

Other branded ghee producers, who have kept the prices at old levels, are expected to take some decision on the new prices in the current week.

Killing of huge poultry flocks in Punjab has created a demand problem, resulting in diversion of huge stocks from Karachi and Interior Sindh and thus causing price flare up in the city, an office-bearer of Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) said.

Poultry live bird is now selling at Rs58 per kg from Rs52 per kg while its meat can be purchased at Rs100 per kg from Rs90-95 per kg. Eggs have also become dearer by Rs3 per dozen to Rs28 from Rs25 per dozen. PPA official said that eggs are also being supplied to Punjab and other upcountry areas as demand has picked up after rains.

Leading toilet soap makers have increased the prices by Re1 to Rs2 on different sizes following increase in imported raw material prices worldwide.

Lux small pack now costs Rs15 as compared to Rs14, while its big size sells at Rs22 as against Rs20. Other manufacturers have also made the increase with same price.

Coming back to budgetary measures impact on the markets, retailers and wholesalers say that the budget 2002-03 has not made any big impact except in the ghee and cooking oil sector. Markets are calm and quiet these days and buyers are making their purchases as per normal days.

In vegetables, onion prices have stabilized to Rs10 from Rs12 per kg last month due to start of Balochistan and NWFP crops soon after the end of Sindh crop. In Sabzi Mandi, its wholesale prices range between Rs6 to Rs6.50 per kg.

No change has been witnessed in the price of potato, maintaining at Rs8-10 per kg following frequent supplies from Punjab’s cold storages. Its wholesale prices hover between Rs7-8 per kg.

Various markets of the city now see a disparity in prices of tomato. It is selling at Rs15 per kg as compared to Rs16 per kg last month but some retailers in posh areas like Tariq Road are charging Rs20 per kg. In middle income group areas, tomato, arriving from Peshawar, is available at Rs12 per kg. At wholesale markets, it is being retailed at Rs7 to Rs10 per kg depending on the quality.

No fluctuation has been observed in prices of ginger and garlic, selling at Rs40 per kg respectively due to frequent imports from China and Singapore.

President Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market, Super Highway, Haji Shahjehan said that the vegetable market is quiet these days due to thin presence of buyers who now have to think twice to travel 20-25 km away from the city to make bulk purchases.

Pulses prices have also not registered any change. Wholesalers said that prices of various pulses have declined by 50 paisa to Re1 per kg due to lesser demand but its impact is yet to be seen at the retail sides.

Gram pulse (Australia) is available at Rs30-35 per kg while moong is being retailed at Rs30-32 per kg. Mash, arriving from Burma, is selling at Rs30-35 per kg. Masur is quoted at Rs28-30 while its high quality can be purchased at Rs34 per kg. Arhar prices are held unchanged at Rs28-30 per kg. Frequent supplies from mills have kept sugar prices at old rate of Rs22 per kg. Atta no. 2.5 and fine atta are selling at last month’s rate of Rs9-10 and Rs10-11 per kg, respectively.

Various varieties of rice has also depicted no change in prices. Irri 6-9 is selling at Rs11-18 per kg while the price of various varieties of rice is staying at Rs24-36 per kg. Kernal is being sold at Rs40-45 per kg. The minimum price of basmati is quoted at Rs20-28 per kg, while the lowest quality is being sold at Rs18-20 per kg.

In fruits — various varieties of mango continue to attract buyers who are ready to pay any price to enjoy the taste of king of fruits. Anwar Atol is selling at Rs30 per kg while Sindhri and Chaunsa varieties are being retailed at Rs30 and Rs40 per kg respectively.