ISLAMABAD, September 8, 2010: The prices of some commonly used food items, which skyrocketed at the beginning of Ramadan decreased by the end of this holy month, but this relative price relief was not extended to the consumers in the flood hit regions.However, the prices of some of the food commodities continued to rise, according to FAFEN Retail Price Monitor released here Wednesday.
On September 1st, 2010 Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) Governance Monitors collected prices of the 12 most consumed food items during Ramadan,at retail outlets in 65 districts of 101 National Assembly constituencies of the four provinces.The main objective of this exercise was to observe the impact of Ramadan consumption on food prices.In addition to this, to record, the price variations in 11 selected flood hit districts against the national sample.
The price of tomato registered a decrease by 40% across the country as compared to its price on August 10, 2010. Its price which was on a continuous rise for the past few months, skyrocketed in August with a 126% increase as compared to July.
Potato price, documented on September 1, 2010, registered a decrease of 11% as compared to August, when it was 39%higher than July.
The consumers of flood hit regions could not benefit from the relative price relief and had to pay more on the purchase of food commodities. The price of Irri Rice increased nationwide by 11% but in the flood hit districts an increase of 15% was recorded. Similarly, sugar price registered a 10% increase across the country but to the consumers of flood hit districts it was available at 14% higher rates.
In the national sample, onion prices went up by 3%, while in flood hit districts there was an 8% increase. Garlic prices registered a nominal increase of 2% nationwide but shot up by 23% in flood affected regions.
Potato price, which registered a decrease of 11% nationwide, actually shot up by 14% in the flood affected regions. Tomato marked a 40% reduction in price across the country but this price decrease was a mere 29% for the flood hit consumers.
In fruits, banana price went up by 5% nationally while its increase in flood hit districts was 7%. Likewise, consumers of affected areas could not benefit from the 7% decrease in price of apple nationwide.
Beef prices, which remained stable nationally, went up by 8% in the disaster struck regions. The price of chicken which decreased by 1% nationwide went up by a similar percentage in the flood hit districts. Mutton was the only food item registering an equal 3% increase in the national sample and the flooded regions.
About FAFEN
The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), a coalition of thirty leading Pakistani civil society organizations, was established in 2006 to observe election processes, educate voters, and advocate for electoral and democratic reform.
