Increase in Prices of Fruit, Vegetables and Poultry

A report based on monitoring of 190 retail outlets in 109 districts across Pakistan in June 2013.

ISLAMABAD, 18th July 2013: Prices of 34 commodities increased, 13 went down while three remained unchanged in June as compared to April 2013 says a Free and Fair Election (FAFEN) report released on Thursday.

FAFEN governance monitors who visited 190 retail outlets in 109 districts collected prices of 52 commodities and services. Price record was not available for two out of season commodities- peanuts and kinnow.

Collected data showed a high increase of 22% in the price of bananas and dark red apples while the price of golden apples went up 16% in June as compared to April 2013.

A hike of 22% was also registered in potato prices; tomatoes went up 9%. However, price of onions dropped 29%.

Among poultry products, prices of broiler chicken live and broiler chicken meat increased by 21% and 20% whereas eggs per dozen registered a  7% drop. Dairy product prices also registered an increase with yoghurt going up 3% and fresh milk 2%.

Though the price of sugar remained unchanged, price of gur increased 11% and desi shakker 9%.

A mixed trend was observed for pulses, price of washed masoor pulse, washed moong pulse, red beans (5% each), washed mash pulse and white beans (1% each) increased whereas those of black gram (15%), gram pulse (8%) and chickpeas (3%) dropped.

Similarly, among kitchen fuels, LPG prices went up 8%, firewood went down 2% while no change in price was observed for kerosene oil.

However, prices of all the observed rice varieties increased- basmati (5%), basmati broken, and irri (1% each). The price of wheat flour went up 4% and wheat grain 2%.

Prices of branded cooking oil (4%), mustard oil 2%) and branded vegetable ghee (2%) also increased. Of the cooked items, increase was observed for prices of  a plate of vegetables, a plate of beef, a plate of dal (3% each) and plain chapatti (1%) whereas a cup of hot tea registered a 1% price decrease.

All the monitored spices and condiments experienced price drop except for ginger that registered no change. Garlic prices went down 11%, turmeric 2%, red chilies powder 2% and salt powder 1%.

For medicines and medical services, price increase was reported for Disprin (3%), Panadol (5%), blood test complete picture (3%) and urine test (2%) while blood sugar test reported 1% drop in price.