KARACHI, Oct 2: A market manipulation of wholesalers and retailers has pushed up the prices of imported gram pulse price to Rs38 to Rs40 a kg, from Rs30 to Rs35 last month.

Market analysts attribute this price a strategic move one month before Ramzan by the wholesalers and retailers. “There is plenty of pulses in the market and no pressure from the buyers,” an analyst pointed out and remarked “what else is the objective than to fleece consumers”.

Market reports suggest that wholesalers and retailers have already started piling up huge stocks of this hot commodity. Arhar dal is also reported to be showing a rising price in sympathy with gram pulse. Arhar now being sold at Rs36 a kg as compared to Rs28-30 last month.

Price surge by the shopkeepers is not justified as the rupee has also gained its strength against the dollar in the last one month, thus making imports cheaper from various countries.

A price survey of regular items (from September 1 to October 1) also reveals a price flare up in egg by Rs4 per dozen to Rs32, from Rs28 per dozen. However, the price of live bird has declined to Rs46 per kg, from Rs48, while the meat price ranges between Rs75-80 per kg, from Rs85.

In other kitchen items, prices have either fallen or remained stagnant to the previous levels due to frequent supplies from producing areas as well as thin demand of items.

No change is seen in price of atta no.2.5 and fine atta, selling at old rate of Rs11-12 and Rs12 per kg respectively. Last month their rates had gone up by rupee one to Rs2 per kg due to increase in wheat prices.

Arrival of two ships loaded with Indian onion has resulted in maintaining the price of onion in the markets at old rate of Rs11-12 per kg. Some importers have brought 800 tons of Indian onion in the market at the rate of $160 per ton to overcome possible shortage in the market prior to Ramazan. But in some areas like Tariq Road, retailers are still charging Rs13-15 per kg.

In Sabzi Mandi its wholesale price ranges between Rs8-9 per kg as compared to Rs10-11. The new crop of Sindh will arrive in November.

The price of potato, arriving from Punjab’s cold storages, has remained unchanged at Rs8-10 per kg but some retailers in posh areas are demanding Rs12 per kg.

Prices of ginger and garlic have not registered any change, selling at last month’s level of Rs40 per kg respectively due to persistent arrival from imports and local crop. These two varieties of greens, which usually arrive from China and Singapore besides from local crop, are available at Rs20-25 per kg at wholesale market.

The price of tomato, arriving from Balochistan, has maintained its old price tag of Rs12 per kg. Its wholesale price ranges between Rs8-10 per kg. The commodity is arriving from Balochistan.

In pulses, masoor price has maintained its last month’s level of Rs34 per kg. Moong from local crop is being retailed at Rs30-32 per kg. Mash, arriving from Burma, is being sold at Rs30-35 per kg.

Various varieties of rice have depicted no change. Retail price of Irri-6 still hovers around old level of Rs14-15. Irri-9 is now being retailed at Rs18-22 per kg. Basmati Kernal is being sold at higher rates of Rs40-45 per kg. The minimum price of basmati is quoted at Rs22-26 per kg.

Sugar price has remained unchanged at Rs22 per kg. As the sugarcane crushing starts from November 15, the country has still got a buffer stock of one month of around 275,000 tons.