LAHORE - The prices of 34 commodities went up, 12 came down while six remained unchanged in April 2012 as compared to the preceding month.
According to a report, released Thursday, vegetables and fruits had the biggest change in prices with tomatoes and potatoes registering an increase of 125 per cent and 28 per cent. However, onions were down 23 per cent, it said.
On the other hand, the prices of all the observed fruits increased with kinnow shooting up 35 per cent, followed by bananas (21 per cent) and dark red and golden apples (5 per cent each).
Among pulses, there was a mixed trend as prices of black gram increased by 4 per cent, gram pulse and white beans 3 per cent each and red beans 2 per cent while those of masoor fell 2 per cent, mung 2 per cent and mash 1 per cent.
On the spices and condiments side, the price of salt powder was up 4 per cent and that of turmeric by 2 per cent whereas garlic and ginger recorded a 7 per cent and 5 per cent decline in prices.
There was a 12 per cent hike in price of broiler chicken live and 11 per cent rise in broiler chicken meat. Eggs, however, registered a 22 per cent fall. The prices of mutton and beef went up by 2 per cent and 1 per cent.
Free and Fair Election Network retail price monitors collected prices of 52 commodities and services from 175 retail outlets in 98 districts on April 10, 2012.
According to the report compiled by it, the crop calendar was cited as the reason for increase in prices of sugarcane products - desi shaker (2 per cent), gur (1 per cent) and sugar (1 per cent).
The prices of some kitchen fuels also went up - kerosene oil by 3 per cent and firewood 1 per cent but that of LPG decreased by 9 per cent.
A 2 per cent increase in price of fresh milk was recorded with yoghurt also going up 1 per cent. A rise in prices of sweeteners and milk is said to be the reason for a 2 per cent increase in price of a cup of tea. The prices of other cooked items also went up - plates of daal and vegetables by 3 per cent each. Of the rice varieties, only the price of basmati-386 increased 1 per cent while that of irri-6 decreased 1 per cent but that of basmati broken remained unchanged. On the other hand, wheat grain and flour each increased 1 per cent.
Of the observed medical services, the cost of blood test (complete picture) was up 1 per cent, but that of blood sugar and urine tests (routine examination) decreased by 2 per cent and 1 per cent.
Among medicines, the price of Panadol (10-tablets) increased 3 per cent whereas no change was observed in the average price of Disprin (10-tablets).