KARACHI, July 1: Prices of various varieties of flour have surged after a sharp increase in wheat prices.

Moreover, prices of ghee, cooking oil, beef, eggs, vegetables, etc., also registered a substantial increase.

However, there was some relief in the prices of pulses and chicken.

Retailers said prices of various items are likely to go up by one per cent after an increase in the general sales tax to 16 from 15 per cent from July 1.

They said some items, like soap and detergents and biscuits, have already become costlier while prices of essential goods would further go up after an increase in petrol and diesel prices.

A survey from June 1 to July 1 revealed that the price of chakki atta surged from Rs30 to Rs32 per kg and price of atta No 2.5 and fine variety soared to Rs30 and Rs32 per kg from Rs28 and Rs30 per kg, respectively.

The price-hike came in the wake of rising wheat prices which surged to Rs2,450 per 100 kg bag from Rs2,150 a week back. Flour millers are complaining about wheat scarcity in the market.

Prices of onion, tomato and garlic have surged, said Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market President Haji Shahjehan, adding that onion price had been under pressure owing to less production in some areas in the upcountry, like Dir, Swat, Mingora, Malakand, etc., which earlier used to cater to the needs of Punjab and Balochistan in June and July period. Onion is selling at Rs11-12 per kg at wholesale market.

Balochistan crop has started and Sindh crop is coming to an end, he said.

About tomato prices, he said that these have surged in the wholesale market to Rs170-180 for eight kg wooden box as compared to Rs100.

He said that transporters immediately increase rates after any rise in diesel prices.

Shahjehan said that diesel and petrol price-hike would push up vegetable rates by Re1 to 2 per kg. Potato, he said, is arriving from Punjab’s cold storage and is available at Rs13-14 per kg at the wholesale market.

However, price of ginger ranges between Rs 28 and 30 per kg at wholesale level but retailers are charging Rs80 per kg while garlic is available at Rs60 per kg. Its wholesale rate is Rs15-20 per kg.

Tea prices have been raised owing to rising prices in Kenya, devaluation of rupee against dollar and 35 per cent cash margin restriction on the Letters of Credit (LCs) imposed last month.

Prices of various pulses have come down, according to Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association Chairman Anis Majeed. He said that low demand of commodity from the retailers had resulted in the price decline.

However, he said problems may come in the coming months as importers of pulses have stopped opening LCs owing to cash margin restriction.

There is no change in the prices of rice at the retail stage despite a slight price fall at the wholesale level.

Wholesale sugar price has been crawling up but its impact has not been felt at the retail stage where its price is pegged at last month’s level.