Fuel price cut fails to cool inflationary pressure in Lahore food markets

Consumers in Lahore received little relief from food inflation this week as vegetables, fruits and poultry continued to sell above official rates despite regular price notifications by the district administration. Market prices remained higher than the government rate lists for most essential food items, showing a continued gap between official pricing and retail enforcement.

The trend persisted despite recent reductions in petrol and diesel prices, which were expected to lower transportation costs for perishable goods.

Poultry prices declined during the week. The official rate for live chicken was reduced by Rs25 per kg and fixed at Rs274-288 per kg, while chicken meat was reduced by Rs36 per kg and fixed at Rs417 per kg.

However, chicken meat was sold in markets for Rs470-520 per kg, while boneless chicken was available at Rs800-850 per kg.

Vegetable prices also remained above official rates. New soft-skin potatoes rose by Rs5 per kg and were fixed at Rs37-40 per kg, but sold for Rs60-80 per kg.

Tomatoes increased by Rs40 per kg and were fixed at Rs160-170 per kg, while retailers charged Rs220-280 per kg.

Onions rose by Rs5 per kg and were fixed at Rs85-90 per kg, but sold for Rs100-130 per kg.

Local garlic increased by Rs5 per kg and was fixed at Rs130-135 per kg, while it sold for Rs180-200 per kg.

Chinese garlic was fixed at Rs320-335 per kg but sold for Rs500 per kg, while Harani garlic was fixed at Rs235-245 per kg and sold for Rs320-400 per kg.

Thai ginger rose by Rs15 per kg and was fixed at Rs295-310 per kg, but sold for Rs400-450 per kg.

Farm cucumbers remained unchanged at Rs95-100 per kg, while market prices stood at Rs140-150 per kg. Local cucumbers were fixed at Rs47-50 per kg but sold for Rs120-130 per kg.

Local lemons were fixed at Rs133-140 per kg and sold for Rs150-250 per kg.

Pumpkin prices declined by Rs10 per kg and were fixed at Rs57-60 per kg, but sold for Rs80-120 per kg. Ladyfinger declined by Rs20 per kg and was fixed at Rs76-80 per kg, while retail prices stood at Rs120-130 per kg.

Fruit prices also remained higher than official rates. Apples were fixed at Rs105-380 per kg, but sold for Rs250-600 per kg.

A-grade bananas were fixed at Rs193-215 per dozen and sold for Rs300-350 per dozen, while B-grade bananas were fixed at Rs125-140 per dozen and sold for Rs220-250 per dozen.

Dates were fixed at Rs360-470 per kg, but sold for Rs800-2,400 per kg.

Different varieties of mangoes were fixed at Rs120-300 per kg, while market prices ranged between Rs200 and Rs450 per kg.

Plums increased by Rs30 per kg and were fixed at Rs410-430 per kg, but sold for Rs350-500 per kg.

Watermelon was fixed at Rs37-40 per kg and sold for Rs70-100 per kg. Litchi rose by Rs40 per kg and was fixed at Rs625-655 per kg, while retailers charged Rs700-800 per kg.

Cantaloupe was fixed at Rs115-120 per kg and sold for Rs150-180 per kg, while peaches were fixed at Rs210-280 per kg and sold for Rs250-350 per kg.