The Free and Fair Election Networks (FAFEN) report on Wednesday said the prices of 20 commodities increased in January, compared to the preceding month, while the prices of 25 commodities decreased and seven remained unchanged. The FAFEN collected the prices of 52 commodities from 179 retail outlets in 91 districts across the country on January 10, 2012.
Twenty commodities that included poultry products, kitchen fuels, meat, medical services and fruits registered an average increase of 7 percent but 25 commodities, including pulses, rice varieties, cooked items, vegetables and condiments saw a 4 percent decrease in prices.
A major increase was recorded in the prices of all the poultry items with broiler chicken live registering the highest increase of 29 percent, followed closely by broiler chicken meat (28 percent). There was a 19 percent hike in the price of eggs per dozen while beef and mutton registered an increase of 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively. The prices of all the observed kitchen fuels – LPG (11 percent), firewood (1 percent) and kerosene oil (1 percent) – also went up. Among fruits, oranges (24 percent), red apples (5 percent) and bananas (3 percent) registered an increase in prices while that of golden apples fell by 2 percent.
Gram pulse and chickpeas each registered a 1 percent increase, whereas the prices of pulses, masoor (4 percent), moong (3 percent), mash (3 percent), red beans (2 percent), black gram (2 percent) and white beans (2 percent) registered a decline.
The change in prices of vegetables was due to the seasonal effect, the prices of potatoes (19 percent) and tomatoes (10 percent) came down as the harvesting season of these crops continued across the country. However, onions recorded a 6 percent increase in price.
Similarly, as the harvest of the sugarcane crop continued, desi shaker, sugar and gur, registered a respective decrease of 9 percent, 7 percent and 7 percent in prices. The prices of all the observed rice varieties decreased as well, with irri-6, basmati-386 and basmati broken decreasing by 2 percent, 1 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Among condiments and spices, garlic and ginger registered a decline of 8 percent in their respective prices, while the price of turmeric decreased by 4 percent and red chili powder by 3 percent. Only the price of salt powder registered an increase of 2 percent.
Despite an increase in the price of kitchen fuels, the prices of plates of cooked beef, vegetables and dal decreased by 1 percent each. However, a prepared tea cup registered a 2 percent increase.
Among medical services, the cost of blood and urine tests increased by 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
The average prices of yoghurt, fresh milk, branded cooking oil and vegetable ghee, blood sugar test, wheat flour and Disprin tablets remained unchanged between December 10, 2011 and January 10, 2012.
FAFEN is a network of 42 civil society organisations working to foster democratic accountabilities in Pakistan. It is governed by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability.
