Poultry prices maintain upward trend

Overcharging deprives citizens of relief in seasonal vegetables

LAHORE:

An upward trend in poultry prices in the city persisted for the second week, adding to the woes of consumers grappling with food inflation.

Despite an official price list issued by authorities, retailers continued overcharging for major commodities.

Some seasonal vegetables registered a reduction in official wholesale prices, but the relief failed to reach households as most sellers continued to charge significantly above notified rates.

Meanwhile, the suspension of Afghanistan-origin consignments entering Pakistan through the Iranian border tightened the supply of certain fruits — particularly pomegranates and grapes — pushing their prices higher in Lahore's markets.

The official price of live chicken rose by Rs50 per kg and was fixed at Rs359-383 per kg, though it remained unavailable at these rates. Chicken meat price was revised upward by Rs73 per kg to Rs555 but it was sold between Rs580 and Rs700 per kg, while boneless meat went for Rs850-1,000 per kg.

Soft-skin potatoes from the new crop gained Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs92-100 per kg, but sold at Rs150 per kg. Sugar-free potato lost Rs10 per kg to Rs45-50 per kg, yet mixed stock was sold at Rs100-120 per kg. Onion prices declined by Rs15 per kg to Rs120-130 per kg but were sold at Rs150-180 per kg.

Pumpkin, ladyfinger, and several other greens remained stable in the list but continued to sell at much higher prices.

Several fruits also saw sharp discrepancies between official and retail prices. Apples increased by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs195-370 but sold for Rs250-800 per kg.

Bananas remained unchanged at Rs135-150 per dozen yet sold for Rs120-180. Guava fell by Rs25 per kg to Rs162-170 per kg, but prices at stalls remained Rs200-250.

Imported grapes and pomegranates witnessed steep price hikes due to supply disruptions. Gola grapes declined officially by Rs215 per kg to Rs381-400 per kg but sold at Rs600-800.

Tofi grapes increased by Rs195 per kg to the same range and were sold at similar high rates. Black grapes dropped by Rs135 per kg on paper but sold for Rs800-1,000 per kg.

Kandahari pomegranate gained Rs70 per kg to Rs780-820 and sold for Rs800-1,000 per kg, while danedar pomegranate rose by Rs100 per kg and retailed for Rs1,200-1,400 per kg.

Other notable movements included increases in sweet potato and persimmon prices, while melon declined by Rs20 per kg.

Most fruits and vegetables, however, continued selling well above official rates due to persistent overpricing and weak market monitoring.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Muhammad Rashid Khan, a resident of the Township area, complained, "Every week the chicken price goes up, still no one sells at the official rate.

How are families supposed to manage? The government issues new price lists, but in the bazaar it's a different world — sellers charge whatever they want."

Similarly, Farhan Ali, a schoolteacher from Model Town, said, "Vegetable rates may drop on paper, but at the stalls the prices stay the same.

There's no relief for consumers. Even basic items like onions and tomatoes have become unaffordable, and overcharging has become routine."