December 2, 2003	Tuesday	Shawwal 7, 1424

KARACHI, Dec 1: Phenomenal increase in prices of onion, wheat flour varieties, tomato and poultry products has shaken up monthly budget of the consumers in the last one month.

On the contrary, prices of pulses, potato and rice remained under control due to better supplies and ample stocks in the markets.

A monthly price survey from (November 1 to December 1) reveals increase in onion prices to Rs18-20 per kg from Rs14-15 per kg.

President, Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market, Subzi Mandi Super Highway, Haji Shahjehan, attributed the price hike in onion to sizable shipment of Sindh crop to Punjab areas to meet the urgent requirement of Eid season.

He said Sindh onion crop was currently meeting the requirement of the entire country and the situation would come under control as supplies from the new crop were gradually picking up pace. Its wholesale price had reached to Rs15 per kg from Rs10-12. In October, it was ranging between Rs7.5 and Rs8 per kg.

Mr Shahjehan said the wholesale price of onion had dropped to Rs500 per 40 kg on Monday from Rs600, and with the passage of time price would continue to stabilize following normalization of supplies.

The phenomenal jump has also been witnessed in wheat flour varieties. Fine atta is now being sold at Rs14 per kg as compared to Rs11-12, a month back. The rate of atta No 2.5, which was fixed at Rs10.50 per kg by the Sindh government for Ramazan, remained a dream for the consumers. Its prices jumped to Rs13-14 per kg. The pure chakki atta is now being sold at Rs15-17 per kg.

The Sindh government had skipped the fixing of fine atta prices in the price list of Ramazan, and it had been decided that only one brand would be available.

The 10-kg Ashrafi fine atta bag is now being tagged at Rs145 as compared to Rs130, a month back.

Flour millers have already predicted wheat shortage in Sindh during January next year, but the consumers have already started feeling its impact in shape of price hike in flour varieties. Many shopkeepers have also started suspending atta sale to the consumers in anticipation of making windfalls when wheat shortage will gain alarming proportions in January.

Tomato prices had shot up to Rs45-55 per kg depending on the areas from Rs24-34 per kg. Just two days ahead of Eidul Fitr vendors made a huge windfall by selling the red juicy commodity at Rs80-100 per kg depending on the quality. The wholesale prices had dropped to Rs30-35 per kg from Rs60-70 after Eid. Consumers are now buying the Sindh crop as the Balochistan crop has come to an end one-and-a-half months back.

Poultry live bird prices increased to Rs66 per kg from Rs64, while its meat is being sold at 112 per kg as compared to Rs110. Two months back, poultry bird was available at Rs60 per kg.

Egg prices have also registered a rise to Rs38 per dozen from Rs31. Rising demand in the wake of changing weather, start of marriage season and meat shortage during Ramazan can be attributed to the price rise of chicken items.

However, the local markets saw a very dull session of buying-spree among the consumers on the first day of December.

Sugar prices remained same at Rs20 per kg in various areas. Pulses continued to sell at Ramazan rates fixed by the city government. Gram pulse No 1 quality prices depicted no change at Rs23 per kg. Price of moong (washed and whole) remained intact at Rs22-25 per kg. Price of mash held unchanged at Rs20-25 per kg. No change was seen in masoor (whole and washed) prices at Rs30-34 per kg in view of no fluctuation in wholesale prices. Arhar pulse price remained pegged at Rs33-36 per kg.

Ginger and garlic prices registered no change at Rs40 per kg. However in posh areas — retailers are seen demanding Rs48 per kg for ginger. Both the commodities are being imported from China.

Vegetable dealers continued to charge last month’s rate of Rs7-8 per kg for potato arriving from Punjab’s cold storages. In Subzi Mandi, it is being sold at Rs5-6 per kg. Supply of onion from the Punjab’s new crop has also started and currently it is being sold at Rs8-9 per kg at Subzi Mandi.

The markets saw no change in prices of various varieties of rice. The retail price of Irri-9 was still intact at Rs18 per kg. Kernal Basmati No 1 and 2 qualities are tagged at Rs32 and Rs30 per kg. Basmati No 1, 2 and 3 qualities are priced at Rs28, Rs26 and Rs24 per kg, respectively. Basmati Sela No 1 and 2 qualities are tagged at Rs26 and Rs28 per kg. Basmati Tota No 1 and 2 are being sold at Rs17 and Rs19 per kg.

Kinoo and citrus have hit the markets with price tags ranging between Rs25 and Rs40 per dozen. Banana is being sold at Rs15-30 per dozen.