Poultry prices surge despite unchanged official list

Consumers face daily fluctuation of food cost

LAHORE

The local administration is struggling to enforce the official poultry prices with farmers selling live birds at self-determined rates, leading to a sharp increase in chicken meat prices.

Official rate lists appear outdated amid the daily price fluctuations faced by the consumers.

For the fourth consecutive week, the official chicken meat price remained Rs397-411 per kilogram, yet market rates ranged from Rs600 to Rs670 per kg.

The official price for whole chicken was Rs595 but consumers paid Rs750-800 per kg, with boneless cuts reaching Rs1,100-1,200 per kg.

Price hikes extended beyond poultry, with inflationary pressure on fruits, vegetables and other meats. Potatoes, officially priced at Rs50-55 per kg for A-grade, Rs40-45 for B-grade and Rs35-38 for C-grade, were sold at Rs80-100.

Onion prices slightly dropped, but the A-grade variety, set at Rs45-50 per kg, retailed at Rs80 per kg. Tomatoes rose by Rs10 per kg, with the A-grade variety priced at Rs55-60 but sold at Rs120-140 per kg.

Garlic and ginger prices remained volatile. The local garlic variety dropped by Rs30 per kg to Rs270-280 but sold for Rs350 per kg. Chinese garlic, fixed at Rs595-610, was available at Rs800-900 per kg. Ginger prices surged with the Thai and Chinese varieties rising by Rs10 per kg, officially set at Rs370-385 but reaching Rs450-600 in the markets.

Several vegetables saw price manipulation with capsicum, cauliflower and cabbage overpriced.

Fruit prices were similarly inflated. Apples, officially priced at Rs170-325 per kg, were sold at Rs250-600 per kg. Bananas, set at Rs250-260, were available for Rs350-400 per dozen. Guavas remained officially priced at Rs160-220 per kg but sold for up to Rs300 per kg. Kinow prices increased by Rs5 per dozen, officially Rs185-430 but sold for Rs400-600 per dozen.

Pomegranates were sold at steep rates, with the Danaydar variety set at Rs425-445 but available for Rs600-800 per kg.

Dates, officially set at Rs425-465 per kg, were sold for Rs750-2,000 per kg.