Prices of staples report an upward trend

Consumers complain about lower quality fruits and vegetables in weekly makeshift markets

LAHORE: The upward spiral of prices continues in weekly Sunday bazaars as the government failed to rein in prices of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Citizens also continued complaining about high prices and lower quality in weekly makeshift markets, while greengrocers and vendors blamed the high cost of supplies at wholesale level.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, consumers including Muhammad Faizan, Rehmat Hussain and Bushra Anees, highlighted that prices of all essential commodities have been jacked up, except a few seasonal vegetables. Greengrocers are fleecing shoppers in broad daylight by selling lower quality produce at premium prices. Most vendors are selling blended or substandard varieties.

The official price list revealed that the price of potato soft skin witnessed an increase by Rs1 per kilogramme, fixed at Rs31 to Rs35 per kg, whereas potato B-grade, fixed at Rs27 to Rs31 per kg, is being sold at Rs35 per kg. The price on onion A-grade was reduced by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs45 to Rs50 per kg, whereas onion B-grade at Rs40 to Rs45 per kg, is being sold at Rs50 per kg.

The price of tomato A-grade was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs110 to Rs120 per kg whereas tomato B-grade was being sold at Rs120 per kg. Garlic local was increased by Rs17 per kg, fixed at Rs226 to Rs247 per kg, is sold at Rs280 per kg. Ginger Chinese increased by Rs60 per kg, fixed at Rs320 to Rs330 per kg and sold at Rs360 per kg.

The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs62 to Rs150 per kg, apple A-grade was sold at Rs180 per kg and apple B-grade sold at Rs70 to Rs140 per kg.

The price of Banana A-grade is fixed at Rs100 to Rs105 per dozen and banana B-grade fixed at Rs60 to Rs65 per dozen is being sold at Rs100 per dozen.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2020.