AVN Report
PESHAWAR: Despite recent reductions in fuel prices, Peshawar continues to grapple with soaring prices of essential commodities, leaving consumers burdened, showing lackluster efforts by the authorities concerned to enforce official price list, with vendors imposing their own rates on vital goods.
Frustrated local residents are demanding concrete actions against profiteering, urging authorities to ensure the pass-through of reduced fuel costs to the general public. However, traders and vendors claim they are adhering to the official price list.
As per a recent survey, prices for certain items remain elevated, with ginger commanding Rs800-900 per kilogram, and garlic priced at Rs350 per kilogram. Tomatoes have surged to Rs80 per kilogram, while onions are currently at Rs100 per kilogram. On the other hand, prices for various other vegetables have remained relatively stable.
Although there has been a slight decline in live chicken prices, now at Rs335 per kilogram compared to the previous week’s Rs365 per kilogram, farm eggs have seen a notable increase, now being sold at Rs320 per dozen, up from Rs300 per dozen.
In the meat market, cow meat is retailing at Rs900-1000 per kilogram, while mutton is priced between Rs2200 and Rs2500 per kilogram.
Pulses and food grains, however, have managed to maintain stable prices. Superior quality rice (sela) is available at Rs340-350 per kilogram, while lower quality rice is being sold at Rs320 per kilogram. Various types of lentils (dal) are also accessible at different price points.
Dairy product prices include chemically adulterated milk at Rs160-180 per liter, yogurt at Rs180-200 per kilogram, and other dairy items at Rs200-210 per liter.
Fruit prices have also witnessed an upward trend, with apples at Rs350 per kilogram, persimmons at Rs230 per kilogram, bananas at Rs170 per dozen, guava at Rs150 per kilogram, and grapes at Rs250-300 per kilogram.
In the beverage segment, black tea remains pricey at Rs1400-1500 per kilogram.
Moreover, prices for dry milk, milk powder, baby milk, and baby products have surged in the retail market. However, sugar prices have remained stable at Rs160 per kilogram.
While flour prices have not experienced significant fluctuations, a 20-kilogram bag of fine flour is priced at Rs2900, and mixed brown flour is available at Rs2600-2700 per 20-kilogram bag. An 80-kilogram bag of fine flour is currently sold at Rs11,800 in the open market.
