Food prices remain above official rates

Vendors defy price lists revised regularly

LAHORE:

The gap between officially notified prices and retail market rates persisted across Lahore last week, with consumers continuing to pay substantially more for vegetables, fruits and poultry products than the government lists.

Shoppers complained that several essential commodities were not available at official rates in most localities, forcing consumers to purchase them at higher retail prices. Residents said that although official price lists were issued regularly, their implementation in markets remained weak.

Poultry prices stayed above notified levels. Live chicken was officially priced between Rs284 and Rs293 per kilogramme but remained unavailable at those rates in most markets. Chicken meat, fixed at Rs432 per kg, was sold between Rs480 and Rs500, while boneless chicken continued to sell for Rs700 to Rs750 per kg in several neighbourhoods.

Vegetable prices also remained elevated. Tomatoes were officially priced at Rs40-45 but sold at Rs100-120 per kg. Onion prices were fixed at Rs75-80 per kg but retailed at Rs100-120 per kg. New potatoes, officially priced at Rs18-20 per kg, were sold at Rs30-40 per kg.

Garlic and ginger also remained significantly above official rates, while seasonal vegetables also recorded wide gaps between official and retail prices.

Spinach, officially priced at Rs28-30 per kg, was sold at Rs80-100 per kg. Green chillies fetched Rs100-140 per kg despite an official rate of Rs71-75 per kg. Cauliflower sold at Rs200-250 per kg compared with its official price of Rs152-160 per kg, while cabbage retailed at Rs100-120 per kg against Rs57-60 per kg. Chinese carrots were sold at Rs250-300 per kg against Rs95-100 per kg, while peas reached Rs450-500 per kg despite a notified price of Rs138-145 per kg.

Fruit prices also remained elevated. Apples, officially priced between Rs260 and Rs400 per kg, were sold at Rs350-700 depending on variety.

Bananas exceeded official rates across grades, with A-grade bananas selling at Rs300-350 per dozen against a notified rate of Rs193-215 per dozen.

Mango varieties, officially priced between Rs145 and Rs360 per kg, were sold at Rs200-400 per kg.

Watermelon, melon, litchi, cantaloupe, peach, papaya, jamun, apricot and phalsa were also sold above official rates in most markets during the week.