KARACHI, July 1: The last month depicted a mixed trend in prices with increase in rates of onion, gram pulse and tomato in contrast to decline in prices of some pulses, sugar, ginger and garlic.

Onion price surged Rs10 from Rs8 per kg owing to increase of Rs100 per 40 kg bag to Rs250 from Rs160 last month. Onion is selling at Rs6--6.50 per kg at wholesale stage.

A wholesaler said that the Sindh crop of onion has ended, while the Balochistan crop is in short supply these days, resulting in increase in prices. A price survey (from June 1 to July 1) revealed an increase in price of tomato to Rs40-45 from Rs18 per kg. Again the supply from Balochistan crop has been very low in the markets, while arrivals from the NWFP area have stopped owing to end of crop.

Gram pulse price has surged by Rs2 per kg. Previously it had dropped following announcement of Rs8 per kg subsidy on import of gram (whole) coupled with awarding of contract by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to the supplier for 51,000 tons of gram (whole) from India. Recently, the Indian government had imposed a ban on export of gram (whole) which caused a stir in the market, besides resulting in increase in prices.

Among the losers, ginger prices have fallen because of increased imports from China, while garlic supply from Kohat, Bannu etc has been going steady and importers will also be bringing Chinese garlic in the current month.

In pulses, masur prices have dropped by Rs4 per kg owing to rising imports from Australia. Market has enough stocks, while sizable quantity is awaiting clearance from the port.

Arhar pulse price has declined by Rs2 per kg due to frequent supplies from the local crop followed by arrival from Burma. Besides, arhar’s consumption is very low in Pakistan.

An importer said that the prices of moong and mash had been pegged at last month’s level. Moong price may fall as the new crop will hit the market next month with an expectation of 150,000--200,000 tons of production this year. In mash pulse, TCP is bringing 10,000 tons, which may stabilise prices, he added.