KARACHI, March 1: Prices of sugar, tetra milk, tomato, moong and mash surged during the last one month while poultry bird, egg and onion recorded decline in their prices.

Sugar remained under pressure and rose to Rs37 from 35 per kg. In middle of the last month consumers had paid Rs40-42 per kg owing to multiple reasons like low sugarcane production, 800,000-900,000 tons shortfall in sugar output, millers’ and market players’ hoarding of sugar and non release of stocks by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

Sugar price has started showing decline but it is expected to remain in the limelight in future as far as decrease in rates is concerned.

Tetra milk producers also raised the price of one-litre pack to Rs36 from Rs35 a month back. The 250 gram pack now costs Rs11 as against Rs10. In June 2005 the one-litre pack was available at Rs29.

Fresh milk producers are also lobbying for increase in the rate in the current month.

A random market survey (from February 1 to March 1) showed 100 per cent increase in tomato price to Rs40 from Rs20. Wholesalers attributed the increase to rising shipment of Sindh crop to upcountry destinations, thus creating shortage in the local markets.

Garlic (desi) price increased to Rs70 from Rs60 due to costlier imports from India. China garlic was selling at Rs40 per kg.

Moong price rose to Rs48 from Rs44 a kg and some retailers were selling the commodity at Rs50 per kg. An importer said that Pakistan had been a regular exporter of moong in the last five years because of sufficient local crop. “This year the country is going to witness a sharp fall owing to massive damage to the crop,” he said, adding that importers had to bring costly moong from Burma which kept the domestic price on the higher side.

Mash had become dearer by Re1 to Rs46 from Rs45, while some retailers were selling at Rs50 per kg. The importer said that due to thin local production the commodity was being imported from Burma at higher rates where the crop was also lower. He further said that India was also buying heavily from Burma at higher rates.

On the poultry front, live bird price fell to Rs54 from Rs56 per kg while its meat was being sold at Rs90 as compared to Rs100 per kg.

Local poultry rates have been under pressure since the bird flu has gripped many neighbouring countries and rates are likely to come down further as bird flu virus has been detected in Charsada and NWFP areas two days back.

Market sources said that sales of poultry bird had fallen by 15-20 per cent owing to scare among consumers. In many areas, retailers were selling poultry meat at Rs70-80 per kg.

Similarly, egg rates nosedived to Rs21 from Rs28 per dozen due to change of weather and fears of bird flu virus.

Onion price fell to Rs10 from Rs12 per kg owing to ample stocks from the Sindh crop. A wholesaler said that exports of onion had also slowed down to various destinations as India was fulfilling the requirement of the Middle East and Far Eastern countries.