Roadside vendors selling cheaper ghee, rice
By Aamir Shafaat Khan
KARACHI, Nov 8: After steep fall in prices ghee and rice are being sold on pushcarts near the City Court in Karachi, a rare phenomenon perhaps seen for the first time in the metropolitan.
The pushcart vendors are demanding Rs90 for one kg ghee pouch, while the loose ghee of some known companies in retail markets is selling at Rs100 per kg.
However, after the price cuts made by various companies (including branded ones), the rate of branded ghee in pouch ranges between Rs130-135.
Many price conscious consumers, having cash problems, do not mind purchasing the Rs90 per kg pouch without any concerns for quality. However, the sellers of the low cost ghee have been giving assurances to the purchasers about its good quality.
Meanwhile, the price of 16 kg ghee tin further fell to Rs1,430 from Rs1,500 some 15 days back. In September, it was quoted at Rs1,780 and Rs1,820. In late July it was selling at Rs1,900.
When Farid Qureishi, the general secretary Karachi Retail Grocers Group (KRGG) was asked as how the retailers are selling ghee at Rs90 per kg, he claimed that the consumers were taking risk by purchasing the low cost ghee at roadside.
He thought that these roadside retailers were not going to stay for a longer period. In case a customer complains about quality, how these retailers would explain as they are selling the items in a hit-and-run market?
In a sharp contrast, genuine retailers in various markets are bound to listen to consumers’ grievances regarding quality of ghee and even they will replace the commodity with a quality one.
He urged the government to check the quality of ghee being sold by the push cart owners.
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Regarding ghee prices, many customers believe that companies have passed on a fraction of the impact of falling palm olien rates to the customers and there should be more price cut in future. The local rate of palm oil has further fallen to Rs2,600 from Rs2,900 per maund (37.25 kg) in October. In September it was selling at Rs3,600, while three months back it was priced at Rs4,200. The price of canola has come down to Rs2,500 per maund from Rs3,900 a month back.
Dalda Foods Private Limited has slashed the 5-litre and 2.5-litre cooking oil tins to Rs725 and Rs375 as compared to Rs785 and Rs390. The 5-kg and 2.5- kg ghee tins are now sold at Rs695 and Rs355 as compared to Rs775 and Rs395.
The pack of five kg ghee (one kg pouch each) is being sold at Rs665 as compared to Rs765, while the pack of five kg cooking oil (one kg pouch) will be priced at Rs710 as compared to Rs775.
:alhamd: Glad to know that prices are coming down to relief of consumer. Compared to September when prices had gone to Rs 4200 for Palm oil now it is selling at Rs 2600 (per maund).
Like Maccie’s n stuff :bummer