KARACHI, Nov 1: Except for increase in prices of potato and poultry products, the commodity markets have been quiet ahead of Ramazan, starting next week, due to thin demand from buyers and frequent supplies of goods.

A price survey of items (from October 1 to November 1) reveals a price hike in potato to Rs11-12, from Rs8-10 per kg, due to lower supplies from Punjab’s cold storages.

Wholesalers said that potato usually faces shortage in October and the new crop finds way into the markets from Punjab in November with higher prices.

The price of poultry live bird has jumped to Rs48, from Rs46 per kg, while the meat price ranges between Rs84-85, from Rs75-80 per kg.

Egg prices, however, has come down to Rs26-27, from Rs32 per dozen, despite slight change in weather.

As the process of finalizing commodities prices for Ramazan in final stages, no major price shake-up has been witnessed due to what retailers and wholesalers describe as laggard market conditions and frequent supplies from the producing areas.

Onion prices had fallen to Rs9-10, from Rs11-12 per kg, in the last one month due to arrival of Sindh’s new crop. In case frequent supplies continue from the producing areas, prices were expected to come down further.

Tomato prices also plunged to Rs8-10, from Rs12 per kg, as a result of new arrivals from various Sindh’s areas.

Prices of ginger and garlic depicted no change, selling at last month’s level of Rs40 per kg 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.

In pulses, retailers said that the prices of imported gram pulse, a hot commodity of Ramazan, have come down to Rs36 per kg after going up to Rs38-40 per kg a month back. Black gram price is stagnant at Rs32 per kg while price of Kabuli gram ranges between Rs35-42 per kg.

Arhar price has dropped to Rs32, from Rs36 per kg, while masur price had maintained its last month’s level of Rs34 per kg. Mung from local crop is being retailed at Rs30-32 per kg. Mash, arriving from Burma, is selling at Rs30-35 per kg.

“Thin demand, increase in pulses imports, rupee’s gaining strength against the dollar and stability in world markets — are some main reasons in decline of pulses prices”, chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Group (KWGG), Anis Majeed said adding that there is no shortage of any commodity.

The rupee has gained 1.8 per cent against the dollar from July to October, making imports cheaper. In July-June 2001-02, the rupee has gained strength by 6.3 per cent against the greenback.

Import of pulses in July-September 2002 stood at 130,938 tons ($41 million) as compared to 86,435 tons ($27 million) the same period last year. Tea imports recorded at 23,833 tons ($37 million) as compared to 23,217 tons ($36 million) in the corresponding period of 2001.

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. In September, their rates had gone up by Re1 to Rs2 per kg due to increase in wheat prices. Atta prices are likely to stabilize in Ramazan as the Sindh government has cut the wholesale price of 100 kg wheat bag to Rs827, from Rs750.

Various varieties of rice have depicted no change. Retail price of Irri-6 still hovers at old level of Rs14-15. Irri-9 is still now being retailed at Rs18-22 per kg. Basmati Kernal is selling 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. Its wholesale price is Rs19 per kg. As the sugarcane crushing had started in Punjab, the country had still got buffer stock of over 500,000 tons.

In fruits, good quality golden apple from Quetta has found its way in the markets with prices ranging between Rs25-60 per kg.