KARACHI, May 1: During the last month the consumers had to face extra burden as prices of wheat flour, pulses, sugar, chicken and onion went up.

Wheat flour prices, after staying calm for only a month, again came under pressure. Fine atta surged to Rs15-16 from Rs13-14 per kg last month. Its 80 kg bag was being sold at Rs1,150.

A survey revealed that atta No. 2.5 climbed to Rs13-14 per kg from Rs12 in the last week of April. Its 80 kg bag was selling at Rs1,020 as compared to Rs950-1,100 last month.

Market people linked the Punjab's ban on inter-provincial movement of wheat to surging atta prices.

Gram pulse rates peaked to Rs30-32 from Rs26-28 per kg owing to thin local crop outlook for the year. The Chairman, Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KRGA), Anis Majeed predicted crop size of 450,000-500,000 tons this year as compared to 750,000 tons last year. He said the country had last year's stocks of 50,000-75,000 tons. Besides, the current rates of Australian gram pulse was hovering between $315-320 per ton, making the landed cost of gram pulse in Pakistan at Rs20 per kg.

Masur washed price also surged to Rs38 per kg from Rs30-35 per kg as the international rates of Australian and Canadian masur pulse went up to $460 per ton from $375 per ton, he said.

Arhar price also rose to Rs36-42 per kg from Rs35 per kg. No change was seen in price of mung, staying at Rs30-32 per kg. Mash prices also stayed at Rs28-30 per kg.

Chicken prices were going beyond affordable levels as customers had restored their confidence on the white meat after a bird flu scare in November-December 2003. Poultry live bird prices increased to Rs78-80 from Rs58 per kg last month, up by 38 per cent in just one month. Its meat rates were being quoted at Rs136-140 by the retailers as compared to Rs100 per kg last month.

In some posh areas, retailers were charging Rs9 for onion as compared to Rs8 per kg last month. The wholesale price ranged between Rs4-5 per kg in the Subzi Mandi. Onion, also arriving from Balochistan crop, was being exported to Afghanistan. Punjab crop would take over Sindh crop which was heading for its end.

Sugar prices recorded a rise upto Rs 19 from Rs 16-18 per kg.

Tomato prices declined to Rs10-12 from Rs15-20 per kg due to frequent arrivals from Sindh's various areas. Its wholesale prices were ranging between Rs6-7 per kg.

The price of potato (from new Punjab crop) also remained under control at last month's level of Rs7 to 8 per kg on account of frequent supplies from the producing areas. Potato's wholesale prices ranged between Rs6-7.50 per kg and it was also being exported.

Garlic prices remained unchanged at Rs40 per kg due to its stable wholesale prices at Rs15-20 per kg. Ginger prices continued to maintain the last month's price level of Rs80-100 per kg due to costlier imports from China, India, Thailand and Singapore. Ginger's wholesale rates were Rs50-70 per kg in the Subzi Mandi, chairman Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market, Subzi Mandi Super Highway, Haji Shahjehan said.

In rice, price of Irri-6 remained intact at Rs18 per kg. Irri-9 was selling at Rs25 per kg, while Basmati 86 rice price stayed at Rs28. Basmati rates were ranging between Rs42-45 per kg.

Consumers witnessed no relief in the rates of mutton, selling at Rs220-240 per kg while bachia meat were being retailed at Rs100-110 with bones and Rs130 without bones. Price regulators continued to play the role of silent spectators and consumer bodies looked least bothered about the price hike.