Lahore consumers continue to pay above official food prices

Lahore consumers continued to pay well above official rates for poultry, vegetables and fruits during the past week, as retailers ignored district administration price lists despite lower petrol and diesel prices that were expected to ease transport costs.

Poultry prices remained among the most prominent examples of the disparity. The official rate for chicken meat was reduced by Rs14 per kg to Rs403, but it continued to retail between Rs460 and Rs520 per kg. Boneless chicken was sold for Rs800-850 per kg. Live chicken prices were reduced by Rs10 per kg to Rs264-278, though the commodity was largely unavailable at the official rate.

Vegetable prices also remained significantly above the notified rates. Potatoes were fixed at Rs35-38 per kg but sold between Rs60 and Rs80. Tomatoes rose by Rs35 per kg to an official rate of Rs190-205, while market prices ranged from Rs250 to Rs300. Onions were fixed at Rs100-107 after a Rs17 increase but retailed between Rs120 and Rs140.

Among other kitchen staples, local garlic increased by Rs5 per kg to Rs135-140 but sold between Rs200 and Rs250. Chinese garlic was available at Rs600 per kg, while Harani garlic, officially priced at Rs235-245 per kg, sold for Rs320-400. Thai ginger increased by Rs40 per kg to Rs335-350 but retailed at Rs450-500.

Farm cucumbers were fixed at Rs124-130 per kg but sold at Rs150-160, while local cucumbers were priced at Rs47-50 officially but retailed between Rs100 and Rs120. Brinjal remained fixed at Rs66-70 but sold for Rs100-140. Bitter gourd increased by Rs5 per kg to Rs76-80 and retailed between Rs100 and Rs140. Spinach was officially priced at Rs23-25 per kg but sold at Rs80-100.

Local zucchini increased by Rs20 per kg to Rs105-110 and sold at Rs140-150. Farm zucchini was fixed at Rs52-55 but remained unavailable, while long zucchini, priced at Rs28-30 per kg, was also unavailable.

Pumpkin increased by Rs20 per kg to Rs76-80 but retailed between Rs100 and Rs120. Ladyfinger rose by Rs20 per kg to Rs95-100 and sold at Rs130-150. Lufa remained fixed at Rs38-40 but retailed at Rs80-100.

Green chillies were fixed at Rs105-110 per kg but sold at Rs150-160, while capsicum increased by Rs10 per kg to Rs200-210 and retailed between Rs280 and Rs300. Cauliflower, despite an official reduction of Rs20 per kg to Rs124-130, sold at Rs200-220. Cabbage increased by Rs20 per kg to Rs66-70 but retailed between Rs120 and Rs140.

Chinese carrots remained fixed at Rs95-100 per kg but sold at Rs250-300, while peas increased by Rs10 per kg to Rs191-200 and retailed at Rs450-500.

Fruit prices also remained above official levels. Apples were officially priced between Rs115 and Rs380 per kg but sold for Rs250-600. A-grade bananas were fixed at Rs193-215 per dozen but retailed between Rs300 and Rs350, while B-grade bananas were priced at Rs125-140 and sold at Rs220-250.

Dates were officially priced between Rs360 and Rs470 per kg but sold from Rs800 to Rs2,400. Different varieties of mangoes were fixed at Rs120-320 per kg but retailed between Rs200 and Rs400. Plums remained fixed at Rs410-430 per kg and sold at Rs400-500.

Watermelon was fixed at Rs37-40 per kg but sold at Rs80-100. Litchi increased by Rs20 per kg to Rs645-675 and retailed at Rs800-1,000. Cantaloupe was fixed at Rs115-120 but sold at Rs150-180, while peaches were officially priced at Rs190-270 and retailed between Rs250 and Rs350.

Papaya was fixed at Rs260-277 per kg but sold for Rs350-400, while jambolan was officially priced at Rs162-170 and retailed between Rs250 and Rs300.