Mixed trend: Prices fluctuate at Sunday Bazaars

LAHORE:

A mixed trend was witnessed in the prices of seasonal fruits and vegetables at Sunday bazaars.

According to a price list issued by the Lahore Market Committee, prices of 13 vegetables were higher and that of 12 lower compared to last week. Prices of 14 vegetables were stable.

The price of garlic (Chinese) had gone up by 109 per cent; the produce sold for Rs220 to Rs230 a kg. Cauliflower price was up by 67 per cent and it sold for Rs25 to Rs30 a kg. The price of garlic (Indian) and lemons (Chinese) were higher by 17 per cent increase and these sold for Rs125 to Rs135 and Rs60 to Rs70 a kg, respectively. Mongray witnessed an 11 per cent increase in its price. The vegetable sold for Rs45 to Rs50 a kg.

Potatoes price was up by eight per cent and these sold for Rs10 to Rs13 a kg. The price of lemons (native) witnessed a seven per cent increase and these sold for Rs145 to R155 a kg. The price of taro roots (arvi) were higher by five per cent; the produce sold for Rs40 to Rs45 a kg. Spinach price halved this week to Rs8 to Rs10 a kg. The price of okra was lower by 32 per cent; it sold for Rs70 to Rs75 a kg. Tomatoes and capsicums prices were cut by one-fourth and fixed at Rs25 to Rs30 a kg each.

The price of carrots was lower by 17 per cent and these sold for Rs13 to Rs15 a kg. Cabbage witnessed a 10 per cent decrease in its price; it was sold for Rs7 to Rs9 a kg. The price of peas registered a six per cent decrease and was settled at Rs70 to Rs80 a kg. Onions price was higher by three per cent and settled at Rs25 to Rs30 a kg.

The prices of bitter gourd, brinjals, cucumber, ginger (Thai and Chinese), green chili (native) and methi (fenugreek) were stable.

Bitter gourd sold for Rs30 to Rs35 a kg; brinjals for Rs15 to Rs20 a kg; cucumber for Rs15 to Rs20 a kg; ginger (Thai and Chinese) for Rs55 to Rs60 and Rs175 to Rs185 a kg, respectively; green chili (native) for Rs40 to Rs50 a kg and methi for Rs12 to Rs15 a kg. Monitoring and Inquiry District Officer Amin Akbar Chopra monitored prices in Model Town, Tajpura, Begum Kot and Gulshan-i-Ravi Sunday Bazaars. He imposed Rs8,000 fines on vendors selling substandard fruits and vegetables. He also registered two FIRs against the vendors overcharging the customers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th,  2016.