Vegetable sellers jack up prices yet again

Surging trend witnessed in most markets ahead of Eidul Azha

LAHORE:

Surging trend is being witnessed in prices of most seasonal vegetables ahead of the Eidul Azha holidays.

Complaints of profiteering and overcharging had also increased, owing to the absence of an efficient and effective price control mechanism.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Sunday, various citizens complained about jacking up prices of tomato, onion, garlic, ginger among other seasonal commodities considered essentials for festival feasts.

Muhammad Ramzan, a resident of Township, highlighted that the price of tomato had been jacked up from Rs20 to Rs100 per in merely a couple of weeks. “There is no shortage of the commodity. Everywhere in the city, tomato is available in ample quantities but its price has been multiplied. In all areas, greengrocers and street vendors are selling it for Rs80-100 per kg, owing to the negligence of the local administration,” he maintained.

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Another citizen named Hafeez Butt complained about the increase in onion and garlic rates. He demanded the government to rein in prices of essential commodities and take strict action against profiteers who were fleecing common citizens.

He also complained about poor arrangement in Sahulat Bazaars which had been established to control prices of essential commodities. The comparison of rates showed that tomato price had further increased by Rs18 per kg during the past week.

The official rate for A grade tomato was fixed Rs60-Rs63 per kg but it was traded for Rs80-Rs100 per kg in markets across the city. Similarly, B grade tomato rate was fixed at Rs54-Rs56 per kg and C-grade at Rs50-Rs52 per kg.

However, in most areas, a blended and B and C grade variety was sold for up to Rs70 per kg. The price of local garlic also gained Rs5 per kg as its rate was fixed at Rs127-Rs132 per kg. Local garlic was sold at Rs220-Rs260 per kg. Garlic Harnai rate increased Rs18 per kg when it was initially fixed at Rs170-Rs175 per kg but sold at Rs200 per kg.