LAHORE – The prices of all fruits registered a sharp increase in July with bananas registering the highest increase of 20 per cent, followed by dark red apples (6 per cent) and golden apples (3 per cent). Overall, the rates of 31 commodities increased in June while those of 12 went down and eight remained unchanged as compared to the preceding month, says a report.
The report released on Wednesday said commodities including fruit, wheat, some pulses, and cooking oil etc. registered an average price hike of 3 per cent. However, there was a 3 per cent decrease in prices of eggs, kerosene oil, some vegetables and cooked items. The price monitors collected prices of 52 commodities and services from 191 retail outlets in 103 districts across Pakistan.
Of the rice varieties, the price of basmati-386 shot up 5 per cent, irri-6 (3 per cent) and basmati broken (2 per cent).
The price of gram pulse rose by 3 per cent, followed by washed masoor (2 per cent), red beans (2 per cent) and black gram (1 per cent). There was however, a drop in prices of mash pulse (2 per cent) and chickpeas and white beans (1 per cent each).
The prices of almost all the observed spices and condiments increased with ginger up by 5 per cent, garlic (4 per cent), salt powder (4 per cent) and red chilli powder (1 per cent). Wheat grain and wheat flour also registered a 1 per cent increase in their respective prices.
According to the report compiled by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), mustard oil, branded cooking oil and vegetable ghee each registered a 1 per cent increase in prices. Moreover those of cooked items also went up - a plate of cooked beef increasing by 2 per cent and a cup of tea by 1 per cent.
Among kitchen fuels, the price of LPG rose 4 per cent but that of kerosene oil was down 2 per cent. Of the observed medical services, the cost of blood test (complete picture) increased by 1 per cent. However, urine test (routine examination) and blood sugar test registered a decline of 2 per cent and 1 per cent in cost.