Prices of essential food items inch up
Originally published in Gulf Times on January 15, 2011
Prices of the majority of essential food items listed on the Ministry of Business and Trade (MBT) website this week have crept up compared to the corresponding week last January.
The MBT maintains a weekly price list of 99 food items it has classified as fast-moving, after taking prices from mega retailers.
A comparison of the ongoing week (January 9-15) with the corresponding week in 2010 (January 10-16) shows prices are up in the crucial oil, rice and flour categories, although rates for some items have dropped.
The average price of Mazola Sunflower Oil (1.8lt) stood at QR16.78 while it was QR16.75 in 2010.
Karam Corn Oil (1.8lt) was up from QR15.75 to QR15.88, while QT Olive Oil (500ml) rose from QR16.50 to QR16.75. The price of Coroli Corn Oil (1.8lt) however dropped from QR18.75 to QR18.27.
Rice also costs more. Tilda Pure Basmati Rice (10kg) is available at QR139.1 while it was QR132.5 in 2010.
Punjab Garden Basmati Rice (5kg) is QR34, up from QR32, and Sun White Rice is QR42, up from QR41.
Prices of flour also increased. The imported Kuwait All Purpose Flour (5kg) now averages QR21.53 compared to QR21.4 in 2010.
Prices of Qatar Flour Mills products have remained the same though, thanks to government subsidies. They are QR20.25 for a 5kg bag of Flour 1 and 2 and QR23 for Flour 3.
Breakfast has become more expensive. Quaker Oats (500gm) is up from QR5 to QR7, Tang Powder Orange (2.5kg) from QR33.3 to QR36.50, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (500gm) from QR12.50 to QR12.75, Hero Mixed Fruits Jam (340gm) from QR8.25 toQR8.28, and Al Alali Strawberry Jam (450gm) from QR5.4 to QR5.5.
Frozen items are also costlier.
Sadia beef burger (24 pieces) has increased from QR28.8 to QR32.50, Americana chicken burger (24 pieces) from QR21.75 to QR28, Sadia chicken burger (12 pieces) from QR15 to QR16.50, and Americana Mix-Veg (450gm) from QR5.13 to QR5.25.
Frozen chicken showed a similar trend with Al Watania (1kg) increasing from QR12 to QR13.75 and Sadia from QR11 to QR12.50. Al Waha remained the same at QR12.75.
Tea prices also crept up: Red Label Loose (420gm) currently averages QR12.25 while it was QR12 in 2010. Lipton Yellow Label Loose is QR14.84, up from QR14.2.
The dairy segment, which includes laban, milk, creams and cheese, remained stable.
Other prices continued to inch up: Nada tomato paste (8 pieces) now averages QR7.75 while in 2010 it was QR7; Mechaalany Rose Water (500ml) is QR8, up from QR7.1; Crystal White Vinegar (946ml) is up from QR3.25 to QR3.50; Nectaflor Natural Mountain Honey (500gm) from QR32.25 to QR32.50; Al Shifa Natural Honey (500gms) from QR 15 to QR16.6; Heinz Tomato Ketchup (340gms) from QR4.50 to QR4.75.
Prices of some food items remained unchanged: Al Alali chicken stock (24 squares) QR11.75, Panzani Vermicelli (500gm) QR4.30, Panzani Spaghetti No 5 (500gm) QR4, and Kraft Mayonnaise (473ml) QR10.25.
A few listed items showed a reduction: Jenan Eggs (30 pieces) are QR17, down from QR17.70, while Nestle Fitness Cereal (375gm) is cheaper at QR14.88 compared to QR15.25 last year. Crespo Whole-Green Olives (200gms) currently averages QR4.3 while in 2010 it was QR4.7, and Red Lentil (1kg) is now QR7.25, down from QR8.5.
The weekly update also includes 35 non-food items ranging from soaps to shampoos at mega retailers, as well as 40 baby products from pampers to cereals.
It can be accessed at http://market.mbt.gov.qa/index.aspx
Photocaption: Some items such as dairy products have remained stable or, as in the case of lentils, become slightly cheaper
As Published
