Fruit, vegetable prices show mixed trends
Despite fluctuations in the prices of perishable food items over the past week, consumers in the provincial capital remain burdened by persistent price gouging.
Price lists issued by the district administration appeared ineffective, with prices often exceeding the set rates.
In the past week, several vegetables' prices decreased, yet retailers continued to sell them at inflated rates.
The official price of live chicken dropped by Rs5 per kg, set between Rs354 and Rs368, but it was commonly sold at Rs410 to Rs450 per kg.
The official rate of chicken meat also fell by Rs7 per kg to Rs533, but was sold at Rs550 to Rs760 in the markets.
Prices of potatoes also saw reductions.
The price of A-grade, sugar-free potato declined by Rs10, priced at Rs80-85 per kg officially, though it was sold at Rs130-150.
The market rates of lower varieties ranged from Rs100 to Rs120 per kg.
Onions, in contrast, saw a price increase for A-grade, with a Rs12 rise setting the official rate at Rs132-142 per kg.
However, consumers found them priced between Rs180 and Rs200.
Tomatoes experienced sharp price increases. A-grade tomatoes surged by Rs25, with an official price of Rs125-135 per kg, yet were found in markets at Rs225-250 per kg. B-grade tomatoes increased by Rs30, fixed at Rs113-120 per kg, while C-grade stayed at Rs95-100 per kg, but sold at Rs180-220 per kg.
Local garlic saw a Rs5 increase, fixed at Rs400-420 per kg but sold at Rs500-650 per kg. Garlic from Harnai rose by Rs15 per kg and the Chinese variety by Rs45 per kg.
Similarly, ginger prices soared, with both Thai and Chinese varieties increasing by Rs150 per kg, set at Rs655-675 but commonly sold between Rs770 and Rs1,000 per kg.
Fruit prices also showed mixed trends with apples, bananas and pomegranates either increasing or remaining unchanged.
Guava prices declined by Rs45, set at Rs80-100 per kg officially but sold at Rs120-200.
Musami dropped by Rs15 per dozen, fixed at Rs75-105 but sold at Rs150-180. Grapes, pears and other fruits experienced slight adjustments.