Overcharging nullifies food price cuts

LAHORE:

Consumers in Lahore continued to face substantial differences between government-notified food prices and actual retail rates during last week, as reductions in the official prices of several essential commodities failed to translate into relief in markets.

A market survey showed that traders continued to charge more than the notified rates for vegetables, fruits and poultry products, while some commodities were either unavailable at official prices or missing from markets.

Prices of several vegetables and fruits increased during the week, adding to household expenses. Tomatoes, pumpkin, capsicum and cauliflower were among the commodities registering increases, while even items whose official rates had declined continued to sell at substantially higher prices.

Poultry prices also presented a mixed picture. The official rate of live chicken increased by Rs20 per kilogramme to Rs379,393 per kg, while the price of chicken meat was reduced by Rs29 to Rs570 per kg.

However, live birds remained largely unavailable for sale across the city, while chicken meat continued to sell for Rs600–680 per kg.

Among potatoes, the sugar-free varieties were fixed at Rs50,53 but sold for Rs80,100 per kg. Tomato prices increased by Rs40 per kg to Rs180,215 officially, while retailers charged Rs300,350 per kg. Official local garlic prices remained stable at Rs230, 240 but retailed at Rs300,320 per kg. Chinese garlic sold for around Rs700 against its official rate of Rs400,420 per kg. Harnaii garlic was fixed at Rs330,345 but fetched Rs500, 600 per kg.

Thai ginger prices declined by Rs10 per kg to Rs340,355, while Chinese ginger was fixed at Rs315,330 per kg. Both varieties, however, sold for Rs400,500 per kg. Bitter gourd officially became cheaper by Rs10 to Rs124,130, although consumers paid Rs200,250 per kg.

Chinese lemon was fixed at Rs60,65 but sold for Rs130, 200 per kg. Pumpkin prices increased sharply by Rs40 to Rs152,160 per kg, while retail rates ranged between Rs200 and Rs250.

Green chilli prices declined by Rs10 to Rs114,120 but retailed at Rs180,200 per kg. Capsicum increased by Rs20 to Rs200,210 per kg, while market prices reached Rs250,300.

Fruit prices also remained high, with several varieties selling above their notified rates.