Surge in Food Prices Hits Twin Cities: Recent Survey Reveals Alarming Trends
Karobar
A recent market survey conducted by APP on Tuesday indicates a significant spike in food prices in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Over the past two weeks, the prices of fruits and vegetables have surged by 28%, posing concerns for consumers and prompting calls for intervention.
The surge is notably pronounced in key commodities such as onions, tomatoes, peas, cabbage, apple gourd, garlic, ginger, beans, cucumber, carrots, apples, pomegranates, bananas, citrus fruits, and oranges. The price escalation, reported by APP, is a substantial 28% increase over the last two months.
In the latest week, consumers witnessed a surge in fruit prices, with apples ranging from Rs250-280, pomegranates at Rs350-380, bananas at Rs140-160, citrus fruits at Rs220-250, and oranges at Rs250 per kilo/dozen.
Among vegetables, peas now cost Rs200-250, cucumbers Rs120, apple gourds Rs150, onions Rs200-210, and garlic and ginger fetching Rs580-600 per kilogram.
In the protein segment, the survey reveals that poultry chicken is now priced at Rs400-420 per kg, and poultry eggs at Rs420 per dozen in the open market in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Furthermore, poultry chicken meat is now available at Rs770 per kg, marking a 15% increase in poultry prices over the past weeks.
Over the last three months, the twin cities have witnessed a 13% increase in the price of poultry chicken and a 15% increase in the price of poultry eggs. The Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) has voiced concerns and called for further increases in chicken prices.
In response, poultry feed industrialists and Dr. Sarosh, the ex-president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed out that soybeans, a key component of poultry feed, are witnessing a surge in prices.
Expressing the concerns of the middle class, government servant Saeed Ahmed emphasized the need for a price control mechanism to alleviate worries about inflation. He urged the administration to take swift action to address the rising prices and safeguard the interests of the citizens.
