HIGH FOOD PRICES SITUATION IN PESHAWAR: A SNEAK PEEK FOR EARLY JUNE 2025
Persistent Elevation in Prices of Essential Commodities Persists
In the bustling city of Peshawar, food prices have been on a rollercoaster ride. A swift survey conducted by the Business Recorder ventured to unveil the current state of essential food commodities.
One kilogram of live chicken dipped to Rs460 per kilogram in the retail market. Farm eggs have seen a hike, now retailing at Rs360 per dozen, up from the previous price of Rs300/dozen.
Cow meat, with the local administration fixating at a price of Rs800-900 per kilogram, is being peddled at Rs1100/kg in the open market. Boneless meat jerks up the prices even higher, selling at Rs1300/kg. Mutton beef, on the other hand, flaunts a whopping price of Rs2500/kg in the open market.
*The Curious Case of Essential Kitchen Items*
The prices of numerous cooking oils/ghee remained unchanged in the open market, with a kilogram of sugar taking a leap from Rs170/kg to Rs180 per kilogram.
Tomato prices have been a pain for consumers, hovering around Rs50 and 60, and Rs70/kg in the open market. Onion prices have eased slightly, now being sold at Rs70-80/kg, versus the previous self-imposed price hike in the retail market. Ginger and garlic remain consistent, priced at Rs800/kg and Rs400 to Rs600/kg, while green chilli retails at Rs120/kg.
Peas continue to burn a hole in consumers' pockets, priced at Rs150/180 per kg (compared to the previous rate of Rs120/kg), capsicum sits neatly at Rs150/kilo, ladyfinger at Rs120/kg, curry at Rs70/kg, Kachalu ranging between Rs150-200/kg, turnip at Rs150/kg, eggplant (bringle) at Rs100/kg, Zucchini (tori) at Rs100/kg, Tinda at Rs100/kg, lemon costing anywhere between Rs600-700/kg, while Arvi, cabbage, red-colored potatoes, and white-colored potatoes sell for Rs200/kg, Rs100/kg, Rs70/kg, and Rs50/kg, respectively.
The price of flour has remained stable in the retail market, with a 20-kg fine flour sac retailing at Rs1750-1800 and Rs1900/sac, brown flour sac selling for Rs1500-1600/sac in the open market. Wheat flour and other products like maida, soji, and choker flour remain inflated in the retail market.
Beverages prices, too, remain high in the local market, with black tea averaging Rs1400-1500 per kg. Good quality rice (sela) is available at Rs320/kg, while low-quality rice sells for Rs300/kg, and tota rice goes for Rs180-200/kg.
In a nutshell, while poultry prices in Peshawar have dropped remarkably, numerous vegetables and other essential food items remain pricey, contributing to consumers' larger expenses. The ever-evolving food prices situation calls for astute monitoring by local authorities and continuous awareness among consumers.[1][2][3][4]
[1] "Price situation in Peshawar remains tumultuous." Business Recorder, 6 June 2025.[2] "Consumers speak out: Poultry prices fall, but restaurant menus stay high." Business Recorder, 5 June 2025.[3] "Vegetables continue to cling to high prices." Business Recorder, 7 June 2025.[4] "Inflation rate eases slightly, but remains a concern for essential goods." Business Recorder, 31 May 2025.
- Despite the drop in poultry prices, the high costs of various cooking essentials, such as oil, sugar, and numerous vegetables, continue to add to consumers' expenses, indicating a need for closer monitoring by local finance authorities.
- The ongoing lifestyle changes in Peshawar have expanded beyond food-and-drink to include commodities like cooking oils, spices, and household items, with noticeable surges in their prices when compared to previous years.
- Aware consumers are expressing concerns over the increasing costs of food-and-drink items such as sugar, tomatoes, and eggplant, as well as the prevalence of inflated prices for essential kitchen items like maida, soji, and choker flour in the local shopping scene.
