Sunday Bazaars: Prices of most vegetables go up ahead of Eidul Azha

LAHORE: The prices of most seasonal vegetables at Sunday Bazaars have gone up ahead of Eidul Azha.

According to a price list issued by the Lahore Market Committee, the prices of 18 vegetables were higher and those of eight lower at Sunday Bazaars compared to last week. The rates of six vegetables were stable.

The prices of turnips saw the highest hike of 71 per cent. These were sold for Rs60 a kilogramme. Onions sold for Rs18 to Rs20 a kilogramme following a raise of 33 per cent in their prices.

The prices of capsicums and bitter gourds were higher by 30 and 27 per cent as these sold for Rs65 to Rs70 a kilogramme, respectively. The prices of native garlic  went up by 22 per cent; the vegetable sold for Rs207 to Rs220 a kilogramme. The Chinese variety sold for Rs245 to Rs260 a kilogramme.

The prices of lemons were higher by 19 per cent as these sold for Rs87 to Rs95 a kilogramme. Cauliflowers saw a hike of 17 per cent in their prices as these sold for Rs65 to Rs70 a kilogramme. Radishes sold for Rs21 to Rs23 a kilogramme following a raise of 15 per cent in their prices.

The prices of Chinese carrots were higher by 12 per cent increase as these sold for Rs42 to Rs45 a kilogramme. The native variety of carrots sold for Rs31 to Rs35 a kilogramme. Taro roots (arvi) witnessed an 11 per cent increase in their prices; the vegetable sold for Rs46 to Rs50 a kilogramme.

Cucumbers sold for Rs51 to Rs55 a kilogramme on registering a 10 per cent rise in their prices.

The price of Chinese Ginger was higher by six per cent; the vegetable sold for Rs83 to Rs90 a kilogramme. The prices of fenugreek (methi) and potatoes were higher by three per cent. Methi sold for Rs63 to Rs67 a kilogramme and potatoes for Rs38 to Rs41 a kilogramme. The sugar-free variety of potatoes was available for Rs26 to Rs29 a kilogramme.

The prices of brinjals, bottle gourds, cabbages, tomatoes, peas and native green chilies were lower. The prices of brinjals were lower by 29 per cent as these sold for Rs15 to Rs17 a kilogramme. The prices of bottle gourds were lower by 25 per cent as these sold for Rs26 to Rs30 a kilogramme. Cabbages sold for Rs37 to Rs40 a kilogramme and tomatoes for Rs41 to Rs45 a kilogramme following a raise of 20 per cent decrease in their prices. Peas and native green chilies witnessed a 13 and eight per cent decline in their prices. Peas sold for Rs120 to Rs130 a kilogramme and green chilies for Rs51 to Rs55 a kilogramme.

The prices of spinach, okras, carrots and pumpkins were stable.

“The prices of ingredients used in desi cuisines have risen ahead of Eidul Azha,” said Salma Bibi who was shopping at Model Town’s Sunday Bazaar. She blamed the hike on the absence of an effective price control mechanism.

Muhammad Shahzad said there was not much difference in the prices at Sunday Bazaars and the open market given the quality of commodities. “I regularly shop at Sunday Bazaars but I seldom find good quality items here,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd,  2016.