Price enforcement remains wanting

Increase in vegetable, fruit supply proves futile

LAHORE:

For the second consecutive week, official reports indicate a reduction in the prices of most seasonal vegetables, attributed to increased supplies from the fields.

However, the decrease largely remained on paper, with market prices showing little to no alignment with the official rate lists. The enforcement of the prices appears to be confined to social media platforms, where assistant commissioners (ACs) are showcasing their performance.

The newly appointed deputy commissioner has emphasised enforcing consumer price regulations, yet his directives seem to be primarily focused on social media presence. Despite the issuance of orders for price controls, practical implementation in the markets remains inadequate, as evidenced by continued discrepancies between listed and actual selling prices.

A market survey shows that the price of live chicken saw an increase of Rs6 per kilogram during the past week, now officially set between Rs380 and Rs394 per kg.

However, market prices ranged from Rs450 to Rs480. Chicken meat also experienced a Rs9 per kg rise, officially priced at Rs571 but sold at up to Rs850 per kg.

The price of soft-skinned potatoes rose by Rs3 per kg, officially priced between Rs82 and Rs88, yet sold at Rs150 per kg. B-grade potatoes were priced at Rs70-75 per kg and C-grade at Rs55-60, with mixed varieties fetching Rs120-130 per kg in the market.

Onions saw a significant price increase, with the A-grade variety rising by Rs10 per kg, officially set at Rs132-140 but sold at Rs180-200 per kg B-grade onions were priced at Rs114-120 and C-grade at Rs100-105 per kg, with mixed grades sold at Rs130 to Rs150 per kg.

Tomatoes showed a reduction, with the price of the A-grade variety decreasing by Rs30 per kg, officially set at Rs97-105, but sold at Rs180-200 per kg.

Mixed varieties were sold at Rs150-160 per kg.

Garlic prices fluctuated during the week. Local garlic increased by Rs5 per kg, priced at Rs370-385 per kg, but sold between Rs500 and Rs600. Harnai garlic saw a Rs15 per kg rise, the GI variety remained unchanged at Rs165-170 per kg but was sold at Rs350 and Rs400 per kg.

Chinese garlic saw a Rs5 per kg increase but was sold that substantially higher prices.

Ginger prices also varied,

while cucumber prices remained stable.

Brinjal prices declined by Rs90 per kg officially set at Rs67-70 per kg, but sold at Rs100-120. The price of bitter gourd decreased by Rs30 to Rs115-120 per kg, but was sold at Rs200-220 per kg in markets across the metropolis.

Spinach prices remained unchanged at Rs57-60, while lemon prices rose by Rs30 per kg and pumpkin prices declined by Rs10 per kg.

Green chili prices increased, while cauliflower and cabbage prices showed a decline.

Other vegetables, such as arum, ladyfinger, lufa and turnip also saw fluctuations in their prices, with mixed adherence to official rates.

The fruit prices also reflected significant variations. A-category bananas declined by Rs20 per dozen, priced at Rs130-135, but sold at Rs180-200 per dozen.

Different mango varieties saw price increases by Rs45 per kg.

Other fruits such as guava, pomegranate, dates, papaya, grapes and peaches showed similar discrepancies between official rates and market prices.

Despite the official efforts to regulate prices, the persistent gap between listed and market rates continued to burden consumers.