Essential food prices spike ahead of Ramazan as chicken, vegetables and fruits outpace official rates in Lahore

Prices of essential food items have surged across Lahore in the days leading up to Ramazan, with retail rates significantly exceeding official price lists for poultry, vegetables and commonly consumed fruits, according to market observers.

Although live chicken prices were officially reduced by Rs40 per kg to Rs309–323 per kg, the commodity was largely unavailable at those rates in most localities. Chicken meat, despite a notified cut of Rs58 per kg to Rs468, was sold between Rs500 and Rs550 per kg, while boneless chicken continued to sell at around Rs800 per kg and above in many neighbourhoods.

Vegetable markets also showed a wide gap between official and retail prices. Soft-skin new potatoes were fixed at Rs20–22 per kg but were sold at Rs30–40 per kg. Tomatoes, officially priced at Rs82–90 per kg, retailed between Rs120 and Rs160 per kg. Onions fixed at Rs55–60 per kg were sold at Rs80–100 per kg.

Local garlic fixed at Rs210–220 per kg was sold at Rs280–300 per kg. Chinese garlic fixed at Rs505–530 per kg retailed between Rs600 and Rs700 per kg. Thai ginger, fixed at Rs285–300 per kg, was sold at Rs400–450 per kg.

Farm cucumbers fixed at Rs42–45 per kg were sold at Rs70–100 per kg. Pumpkin fixed at Rs114–120 per kg retailed between Rs200 and Rs250 per kg. Green chilies fixed at Rs133–140 per kg were sold at Rs180–200 per kg. Capsicum fixed at Rs138–140 per kg retailed at Rs180–220 per kg. Peas, despite being fixed at Rs38–40 per kg, were sold at Rs60–100 per kg.

Fruit prices also recorded sharp increases. Apples fixed between Rs250 and Rs420 per kg were sold at Rs350–600 per kg depending on quality. A-category bananas fixed at Rs200–230 per dozen were sold at Rs300–350 per dozen, while B-category bananas fixed at Rs125–140 per dozen retailed at Rs200–250 per dozen. Guavas fixed at Rs138–145 per kg were sold at Rs200–250 per kg.

Dates fixed at Rs410–495 per kg were sold between Rs800 and Rs2,000 per kg. Papaya fixed at Rs325–340 per kg retailed at Rs350–450 per kg. Grapefruit fixed at Rs28–30 per piece was sold at Rs40–50 per piece. Musami fixed at Rs172–180 per dozen retailed at Rs200–250 per dozen. Citrus fruits fixed between Rs220 and Rs335 per dozen were sold at Rs300–450 per dozen.

Kandhari pomegranates fixed at Rs601–630 per kg were sold at around Rs800 per kg, while danedar pomegranates fixed at Rs772–810 per kg retailed between Rs1,000 and Rs1,400 per kg. Melons fixed at Rs180–240 per kg were sold at Rs250–300 per kg. Strawberries, with no official rate, were sold at Rs800–1,000 per kg.

Traders said fruit prices moved upward nearly 10 days before Ramazan after producers slowed harvesting in orchards, particularly of bananas and guavas, tightening supply in wholesale markets. Consumers said the divergence between official rate lists and actual selling prices provided little relief as the holy month approaches.