Retailers defy official food prices

Consumers continued to face elevated food prices as the gap between official price lists and retail market rates persisted across the city.

Despite fresh adjustments in notified prices, most vegetables, fruits and poultry products remained unavailable at government-fixed rates, highlighting limited compliance in retail markets.

Market surveys showed traders charging higher rates than official prices, forcing consumers to absorb the burden of rising food costs.

Residents complained that while official price lists are issued regularly, implementation remains largely absent in most localities.

Poultry prices recorded a slight decline during the past week. The official rate for live chicken was reduced by Rs10 per kilogramme to Rs274-288 per kg, although the commodity remained largely unavailable at the notified rates.

Chicken meat prices were cut by Rs15 to Rs417 per kg officially, but retail rates ranged from Rs460 to Rs500 per kg. Boneless chicken continued to sell at Rs700-750 per kg in several neighbourhoods.

Vegetable prices showed mixed trends but remained significantly above official rates. The price of soft-skin new potatoes increased by Rs10 per kg, with the official rate fixed at Rs27-30 per kg, while retail prices ranged from Rs40 to Rs60 per kg.

Tomatoes rose by Rs30 per kg and were fixed at Rs70-75 per kg, but sold between Rs120 and Rs150 per kg. Onion prices declined by Rs10 per kg to Rs65-70 per kg officially, yet continued to retail at Rs80-120 per kg.