The daily-use items have witnessed a sharp increase in prices ahead of Ramazan adding to already miserable life of common man.
In Karachi, one kilogram sugar is available at Rs105, chicken is being sold for Rs450 a kg, cooking oil is retailing at Rs280 per litre, while the prices of pulses have also witnessed an increase.
According to people, an increase of 10% to 40% has also been witnessed in the prices of ghee and oil. “They are selling these items for whatever price they want,” a resident complained.
Shopkeepers, however, have blamed the hike on suppliers, claiming that they hoarded supplies and are now selling them at higher rates.
On the other hand, the price of milk across the city has reduced dramatically. One litre milk that used to cost Rs110 is now being sold for Rs50 or Rs60.
Sellers have said that the prices have been reduced as the demand for milk has declined. “As shops and wedding halls have been shut down, we are overstocked and don’t want to waste the milk,” a shopkeeper said.
Some sellers have also resorted to introducing packages, such as buy one litre of milk and get another litre free.
A city resident said due to an increase in the price of the essential commodities, they are in a dilemma over what to buy and what to forego.
Shopkeepers, on the other hand, said the prices of essential commodities were moving up as the supply has reduced.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics, in its weekly inflation report released Friday, said inflation had reached 15.35%.
In the open market, the price of sugar has gone up by Rs6 per kg, the price of tomatoes is up from Rs35 to Rs70 per kg, and the price of chicken meat has risen from Rs380 to Rs410 per kg.
