Cooking oil, ghee prices rise in open market

Cooking oil and ghee prices in the open market have risen by Rs50 per kilogram during the current week, according to market figures. The Rawalpindi Grocers and Merchants Association has also warned of further increases before and after the June budget.

RAWALPINDI: Prices of cooking oil and ghee in the open market have increased again, with rates going up by Rs50 per kilogram during the current week, according to market figures.

The latest increase has added to a broader upward trend over recent weeks. Market data showed that prices of these essential items have risen by a total of Rs70 per kilogram over the past month.

Following the latest adjustment, cooking oil of various brands is now being sold at Rs560 per litre. Dalda cooking oil has reached Rs600 per litre in the market.

Ghee prices have also moved higher. Different brands of ghee are now being sold at Rs550 per kilogram, while Dalda ghee has climbed to Rs590 per kilogram.

Further increase expected

The Rawalpindi Grocers and Merchants Association said another increase of around Rs20 was expected before the start of the budget in June. The association also said that, after the budget announcement, prices could rise by up to another Rs30.

The latest rise means consumers are facing higher costs on both cooking oil and ghee across the open market, with branded products recording even steeper rates. The increase of Rs50 per kilogram in the current week follows cumulative growth of Rs70 per kilogram over the last month, according to the market figures cited in the report.

Among the products listed, Dalda variants remained priced above other brands. Cooking oil under the Dalda label was reported at Rs600 per litre, compared with Rs560 per litre for other brands, while Dalda ghee was being sold at Rs590 per kilogram against Rs550 per kilogram for other ghee products.

The Rawalpindi Grocers and Merchants Association linked the outlook to the period around the upcoming budget, saying the market could see another round of increases before and after the budget in June. It estimated a further rise of around Rs20 before the budget and up to Rs30 after the budget announcement.

The reported increase adds to pressure on household spending as prices of everyday kitchen items continue to move upward in the open market.