Food prices stay above official rates

Retailers defy notified lists for most vegetables, fruits, poultry

LAHORE:

Prices of most essential vegetables, fruits and poultry products remained significantly above government-notified rates across Lahore during the past week, as retailers continued to sell several commodities at higher prices than those fixed by the district administration.

While official rates for a handful of vegetables, including tomatoes, pumpkin and ladyfinger, were reduced, those of several other perishables increased.

The sharpest official price increases were recorded for farm cucumbers, local lemons, onions, pomegranates, pears and apples.

The price of live chicken increased by Rs5 per kilogramne to Rs314-328, while chicken meat became Rs7 more expensive and was officially fixed at Rs475 per kg. However, chicken meat was sold for Rs520-570, while boneless chicken remained available at Rs850-950 per kg.

Among vegetables, potatoes (sugar-free) were officially priced at Rs32-35 per kg but sold for Rs50-80. The official rate for local tomatoes fell by Rs15 to Rs250-270 per kg, although retailers charged Rs340-400.

Onion prices rose by Rs15 to Rs107-115 per kg but were sold for Rs130-150. Local garlic increased by Rs5 to Rs142-150 per kg and retailed at Rs200-250, while Chinese garlic was sold at Rs600 per kg. Harani garlic was fixed at Rs240-250 but sold for Rs320-400.

Thai ginger remained unchanged at Rs335-350 per kg but retailed at Rs450-500, while Chinese ginger rose by Rs5 to Rs320-335 and was sold for Rs400-450.

Farm cucumber prices surged by Rs50 to Rs200-210 per kg but it was sold at Rs250. Local cucumber was available at Rs180-200.

Local lemons rose by Rs35 to Rs138-145 per kilogram but sold for Rs180-250.

Green chillies fell by Rs10 to Rs105-110 but retailed at Rs150-160, while capsicum declined by Rs20 to Rs286-300 but sold for Rs400.