KARACHI: As Sindh’s government starts to impose more stringent social distancing measures, prices of critical food products, in particular pulses and wheat, have shot up by 20 percent on the wholesale market, says a media source.

Karachi Retail Grocers Association Secretary General Farid Qureshi informed the media source on Wednesday that prices of essential food products, especially pulses, have increased in the wholesale market by up to 20 per cent.

Split Bengal gram (channa) price was increased from Rs125 on March 20 by 8 per cent or Rs10/kg to Rs135/kg, according to reports. Green gram washed (moong) price went up from Rs225 to Rs230.

The split red lentil (masoor) rate in the wholesale market increased by 20 per cent to Rs125 from Rs104/kg. The price of split-washed black gram (maash) increased from Rs165/kg by 12 per cent or Rs20/kg to Rs185.

Similarly, sugar prices increased by Rs1/kg to Rs80/kg and Rs50 per 50 kg bag, and wheat flour prices increased by 10 percent to Rs550 for 10 kg from Rs500.

Qureshi claimed that, following a fall in petroleum prices, transporters raised the rates by 50 per cent. “A Suzuki pickup charges Rs1,500 for each trip against Rs1,000 for each trip paid before the lockdown,” he said.

Transporters said they were through fares because they got all the stuff at higher rates, he said.