Essential goods in Lahore exceed official rates as floods disrupt supply chains

Prices of essential goods in Lahore have surged well above official rates as recent floods disrupt supply chains, limiting availability of vegetables, fruits, and poultry. Traders are charging significantly higher than government-fixed prices, leaving consumers facing steep increases across markets.

The district administration had fixed live chicken at Rs397-411 per kg and chicken meat at Rs595 per kg, but sellers are charging Rs500-530 per kg for live chicken and Rs630-750 per kg for meat.

Vegetable prices are also rising due to supply disruptions and quality issues caused by recent floods in Punjab. Several vegetables remain in short supply, leading to higher rates and overcharging in markets.

Potato prices for soft skin A-grade are fixed at Rs80-85 per kg but are sold at Rs150 per kg. B-grade and C-grade potatoes are sold at Rs70-75 and Rs55-60 per kg respectively, while mixed potatoes fetch Rs120-130 per kg. Sugar-free potato rates remain at Rs55-60 (A-grade), Rs45-50 (B-grade), and Rs35-40 (C-grade), sold at Rs100-120 per kg.

Onion A-grade is fixed at Rs70-75 per kg but sold at Rs100-120 per kg. Tomato A-grade is sold at Rs200-240 per kg, despite a fixed rate of Rs127-140 per kg. Garlic local new and Harani are sold at Rs300 and Rs400 per kg against fixed rates of Rs200-210 and Rs272-285 per kg respectively. Ginger Tahi and China are sold at Rs600-800 per kg, above the fixed Rs430-450 and Rs395-415 per kg.

Cucumber farm rates are fixed at Rs85-90 per kg, sold at Rs150-160 per kg. Brinjal is sold at Rs150-180 per kg, biter gourd at Rs250, and spinach at Rs100-120 per kg. Zucchini local is sold at Rs250-280 per kg. 

Lemon local and China are sold at Rs400 and Rs250-300 per kg, while pumpkin sells at Rs200-250 per kg. Sweet pumpkin and lady finger are sold at Rs100-120 and Rs250-280 per kg respectively.

The weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 1.29% for the combined consumption groups during the week ending September 2, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The SPI for the lowest consumption group, earning up to Rs17,732, increased by 2.01%, rising to 327.73 points from 321.82 points last week. Other consumption groups, including Rs17,733 to Rs22,888, Rs22,889 to Rs29,517, Rs29,518 to Rs44,175, and above Rs44,175, saw increases of 1.90%, 1.61%, 1.48%, and 0.99%, respectively.