LAHORE – The prices of cooking oil and ghee have been increased further ahead of Christmas, with the commodity rate increasing by around Rs 10 per kilogram in the retail market of the city.
According to market sources, the prices of 12-kg box of normal quality cooking oil have risen to Rs 1,835 from Rs 1,810 in a single day while the same box was available for Rs 1,810 a couple of days back.
Market sources said the prices of 16 kilogram tin of cooking oil and ghee surged to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,380, showing a rise of Rs 120, while branded cooking oil and ghee in one-kg packing have been increased by over Rs 10.
Retailers said that though the rates have been raised on the excuse of escalation in the palm oil prices in the global market but most of the manufacturers have around two months stock at their depots, so their plea is totally wrong. It is to be noted here that presently the prices of crude palm oil have jumped to $1,182 per ton in the international market.
The average quality ghee and cooking oil like Punjab and Shan brands is presently available for Rs 155-160 per kg while the high standard ghee and cooking oil rate like that of Dalda and Habib are being sold for Rs 172-168 per kg. Market sources said that high quality branded ghee in one-kg packing was being sold at less than Rs 150 just one week back.
Muhammad Farid, a retailer in Mozang area, told The Nation that the cooking oil in lose packing which was available earlier in the market at Rs 142 is now being sold for Rs 148-155 per kg in retail market. He said that the cooking oil prices were increased due to rise in palm oil prices in the international market. He revealed that the prices of several other kitchen items have also been raised ahead of Christmas though there is no extra sale on this occasion at local level.
Consumers said that the city district government seemed to have no interest in affairs of the public who were facing the burden of ever-soaring inflation. They said that they were frustrated with the performance of their elected representatives who never care for them.
Consumers were of the view that the increase would squeeze further purchasing power of the masses while inflation and unemployment have already reached its peak in the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment