The prices of sugar and milk have increased in the current Hijri month of Sha'aban, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The prices of meat, however, have dropped, while that of flour, rice and cooking oil have remained the same, the report said. The report, a copy of which Okaz/Saudi Gazette has obtained, showed that the average price of a 50 kg bag of sugar in the local market increased by SR12 during Sha'aban bringing the price to SR179. There was a 29.7 percent price hike when compared to the price in the same time last year. Also, the average price of a 1.8 kg pack of milk powder increased by SR1 this month when compared to that of last month. Prices of milk powder of different brands rose from SR3-SR5 when compared with last year. The price of flour has been stable at SR35 per 45 kg bag for brown flour and SR27 per 45 kg bag of white flour. Prices of most kinds of rice too have remained stable and are inclining towards a decrease. During July 2011, the ministry monitored the prices of two brands of American rice – Abu Bint and Abu Suyoof – per 40 kg bag. It was noticed that the average price of a bag of Abu Bint American rice inclined towards a decrease to settle at SR170 per bag, registering a drop of 4 percent equivalent to SR7 when compared to the price in August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). Meanwhile, the average price was stable during July 2011 (Sha'aban 1432H) when compared to that in June 2011 (Rajab) and the average price of Abu Suyoof rice dropped by 0.5 percent in July 2011 when compared to that in June 2011. However, the price registered a rise of 13.5 percent equivalent to SR25 compared to the same period in 2010. The average price of 1.8 liter Al-Arabi cooking oil settled at SR15 during June and July 2011 (Rajab and Sha'aban 1432H), registering a rise of SR1 per pack when compared to the price in August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). The average price of 1.8 liter Afia corn cooking oil during June and July 2011 was stable at SR21. Meanwhile, the average price rose by SR3 when compared to the same period in 1431H. As for the average price of a pack of Mazola corn oil during July 2011, it rose by SR1 to reach SR20 when compared to the price of SR19 during June 2011 (Rajab 1432H) and SR18 in August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). Also, the average price of local poultry meat remained stable at the level of SR13 during June and July 2011 (Rajab and Sha'aban 1432H) compared to SR11 during August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). The average price of 1000 gram imported poultry meat remained stable at SR12 during June and July 2011 compared to SR10 in August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). The average price of imported frozen red meat was stable at SR22 during June and July 2011 compared to SR15 in August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). Meanwhile, the average price of imported refrigerated red meat dropped from SR46 in June to SR44 in July 2011, compared to SR39 during August 2010 (Sha'aban 1431H). __
