KARACHI, Aug 1: A rising trend in prices of vegetables, pulses, rice, poultry and other commodities was witnessed during the last one month, which has ultimately put a burden on the monthly budgets of people.

Rising international prices, rupee devaluation against dollar, drop in local production and rising transportation charges owing to fuel price-hike, have been attributed to be the main reasons of rise in prices.

Besides, many market players are now active in hoarding of commodity to make windfall profits during Ramazan, sources said.

A price survey conducted between July 1 and Aug 1 revealed a further increase in prices of rice varieties owing to its exports.

Rice exports went up seven per cent to 3,339,499 tons in quantity and increased 61.5 per cent in value to $1.8 billion as compared to 3,129,142 tons or $1.1 billion in 2006-2007.

Of total exports, basmati shipments surged by 40 per cent in quantity and 80 per cent in value to 1,271,409 tons ($1.0 billion) as compared to 907,906 tons ($556 million).

Other varieties of rice also fetched a handsome price despite a fall of seven per cent in terms of quantity. Shipments of other varieties of rice earned $817 million (2,068,090 tons) in July-June 2007-2008 as compared to $569 million (2,221,236 tons) in 2006-2007, showing an increase of 43 per cent in value.

Pulses, too, have become costlier.

The price of onion surged by 20 per cent in the last one month, followed by an increase in tomato price by 66 per cent, garlic 33 per cent and ginger 25 per cent.

Haji Alimuddin of the Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market said onion wholesale rate ranges between Rs450 and Rs500 per 40kgs, up by at least 20 per cent as compared to previous month.

He said only Balochistan crop is currently meeting the requirements of Punjab and Sindh while supplies from Swat and other adjoining areas are suspended owing to dismal law and order situation. Sindh’s new crop will arrive in October.

Tomato is also arriving from Balochistan and was being sold at Rs30 per kg in wholesale.

However, there is no change in prices of ginger and garlic (China), and these were being sold at Rs45 and Rs20 per kg, respectively.

Potato is selling at Rs12 per kg in the wholesale market.

In poultry, there is again a disparity in prices as retailers usually avoid charging rates fixed by the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) and the Karachi Wholesalers Poultry Association (KWPA). PPA issues rate of only live bird and not of meat.

PPA has issued a retail rate of Rs88 per kg for live bird, but traders are seen charging Rs92 per kg. The price was issued by the KWPA, who claims to be the genuine association for fixation of local rates.

In a sharp contrast, many