KARACHI, June 2: Increase in prices of onion, tomato, poultry and ginger in the last one month put some burden on consumers’ monthly expenditure.

However, prices of pulses, rice and flour varieties remained either pegged or fell owing to thin demand and better supplies from producing areas.

End of Sindh’s crop and start of Balochistan crop caused a price spiral of Re1 to Rs2 per kg in onion, rising to Rs6 from Rs4-5 per kg. Its wholesale price went up to Rs5 from Rs3-3.50 per kg. A 40-kg bag was available at Rs180-200 as compared to last month’s Rs120-150.

Chairman Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Market, New Sabzi Mandi, Haji Shahjehan said that prices usually fluctuate when a new crop starts or an old crop ends. Prices may stabilize when supplies of onion from Balochistan’s new crop would reach its full swing. The commodity is also being exported.

According to a monthly price survey (from May 1 to June 1), tomato prices shot up to Rs15-20 from Rs14 per kg due to lesser supplies from Sindh crop which was coming to an end. Wholesale prices of tomato had increased to Rs140 per 40-kg from Rs80-100. It was being sold at Rs13-14 per kg at wholesale as compared to last month’s Rs3-6 per kg. Shahjehan said prices would ease in coming weeks as Punjab crop had started arriving in the market.

Prices of ginger, arriving from China and Singapore, rose to Rs40 per kg from Rs30-32. Retailers can be blamed for overcharging as its prices in wholesale market had remained intact to last month’s level of Rs20-22 per kg.

Poultry live bird prices surged by Rs2 to Rs64 per kg from Rs62, while meat prices flared up to Rs115 per kg from Rs112. Thin demand of eggs resulted in price fall to Rs20 per dozen from Rs23.

In other varieties of greens, potato prices plunged to Rs6 per kg from Rs7-8 owing to frequent supplies from Punjab crop. Its wholesale price ranged between Rs4-5 per kg and the commodity was also being exported.

Garlic prices remained intact to old level of Rs30-32 per kg on frequent supplies from Mardan, Banoo and China. Its wholesale prices were hovering between Rs15-20 per kg.

Decline in prices of wheat and flour bags of 80-kg two months back, helped in maintaining stability in prices. Fine atta was selling at old level of Rs11 per kg and atta no. 2.5 did not see any change from Rs10 per kg.

However, many retailers in posh areas like Tariq Road, Defence and Clifton, retailers are busy in fleecing consumers by charging Rs12 kg and Rs11 per kg for fine atta and atta no.2.5 (chakki) respectively without any reason.

Pulses market has been quite for the last one month as far as increase in prices are concerned. Some activities in export of desi chick peas/split to India has been witnessed in the last one month. According to chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA), Anis Majeed, some parties have sent 3,000-4,000 tons more of desi chick peas/split to India last week to make a total export of 18,000-19,000 tons in one month to India. Efforts are underway to send more shipments to the neighbouring country owing to surplus crop in Pakistan.

Mung prices stayed at Rs28-30 per kg as its wholesale price saw no change at Rs24-26 per kg. The wholesale price of mash also held unchanged at Rs20-22 thus keeping retail prices intact at Rs24-26. Masur (whole and washed) price held unchanged at Rs30-35 per kg in view of no change in its wholesale price at Rs26-28. No change was seen in prices of arhar pulse at Rs28-30 per kg as its wholesale price had been intact at Rs23-25. The wholesale price of gram pulse (small and big) had remained pegged to Rs18-21 per kg. However, retailers were demanding Rs28 per kg.

Sugar prices showed no change, staying at Rs19 per kg in many areas. The commodity was available at Rs17.80 per kg at wholesale markets.

Various varieties of rice had shown no fluctuation in prices. Retail price of Irri-6, which was available at Rs11 per kg in wholesale, was being retailed at Rs11-12. Irri-9 was still selling at Rs18-19 per kg and its wholesale price was Rs14. Basmati Kernal prices stayed between Rs30-40 per kg.

Chairman, KWGA, Anis Majeed and General Secretary, Karachi Retail Grocers Group (KRGG), Farid Qurieshi said that the markets have been passing through a lukewarm session ahead of budget 2003-2004 as market players are not expecting any significant changes in import duties and local taxes. There is virtually no element of stocking and hoarding in the market prior to budget announcement otherwise prices of pulses, rice, sugar and wheat flour would have gone much higher.

In fruits, mango has finally arrived in the markets. In wholesale market, Sindhri prices were ranging between Rs160-180 per 12-kg wooden box. Daseri prices had been hovering between Rs170-180 per 12-kg wooden box, while Saroli prices were ranging between Rs180-200 per 12-kg wooden box. Mango exports were also in full swing currently.