Food prices in Lahore continue to soar as retailers ignore official rates 

LAHORE: Consumers in the provincial metropolis continued to face soaring food prices despite reductions in prices of some essential items in the official notifications issued by the district administration, exposing a persistent gap between government-fixed prices and actual retail rates across the city.

Live chicken prices were reduced by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs309–323 per kg, though the rate remained unavailable across the city. Chicken meat was officially cut by Rs29 per kg to Rs468 per kg but sold between Rs510 and Rs570 per kg, while boneless chicken continued to fetch Rs850–950 per kg.

A mixed trend was recorded in vegetables this week, with the majority of perishable items rising in price. Sugar-free potatoes, fixed at Rs32–35 per kg, sold for Rs50–80 per kg.

Local tomato prices rose further, fixed at Rs265–285 per kg but retailed between Rs340 and Rs400 per kg. Onion prices gained Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs93–100 per kg, yet continued selling at Rs120–140 per kg.

Local garlic rose by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs138–145 per kg but retailed at Rs200–250 per kg, while Chinese garlic sold at Rs600 per kg. Harani garlic increased by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs240–250 per kg, and fetched Rs320–400 per kg.

Thai ginger fell by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs335–350 per kg but sold at Rs450–500 per kg, while Chinese ginger remained unchanged at Rs315–330 per kg, selling at Rs400–450 per kg.

Farm cucumber, fixed at Rs152–160 per kg, sold at Rs160–200 per kg, while local cucumber, for which no official rate was issued, sold at Rs150–180 per kg. Brinjal, fixed at Rs105–110 per kg, retailed at Rs140–160 per kg.

Bitter gourd rose by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs85–90 per kg but sold for up to Rs130–150 per kg. Spinach prices doubled, fixed at Rs47–50 per kg, though consumers paid Rs80–120 per kg.

Local zucchini surged by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs133–140 per kg, selling at Rs160–200 per kg. Local lemons fell by Rs50 per kg, fixed at Rs105–110 per kg, but sold between Rs150 and Rs250 per kg.

Pumpkin prices rose sharply by Rs30 per kg, fixed at Rs172–180 per kg but sold at Rs200–220 per kg. Ladyfinger also surged by Rs30 per kg, fixed at the same range, retailing at Rs200–250 per kg.

Green chilies increased by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs110–115 per kg, selling at Rs150–160 per kg, while capsicum remained stable at Rs304–320 per kg but fetched Rs400 per kg.

Cauliflower fell by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs105–110 per kg, selling at Rs150 per kg, while cabbage gained Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs124–130 per kg and retailed at Rs150–180 per kg.

Chinese carrots surged by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs110–115 per kg but sold at Rs200–250 per kg. Pea prices held stable at Rs286–300 per kg but sold between Rs450 and Rs500 per kg.

Fruit prices also remained high across the city. Apples were fixed between Rs230 and Rs305 per kg but sold at Rs300–500 per kg.

Banana prices continued to exceed official rates, with A-Grade fixed at Rs195–215 per dozen but sold at Rs300–350 per dozen, and B-Grade fixed at Rs125–140 per dozen but sold at Rs220–250 per dozen. Dates were fixed at Rs360–465 per kg yet sold between Rs800 and Rs2,400 per kg.

Different mango varieties gained Rs35 per kg, fixed at Rs160–350 per kg, selling at Rs200–400 per kg. Plum was fixed at Rs381–400 per kg but sold at Rs400–500 per kg, while peach was fixed at Rs200–280 per kg but sold at Rs250–400 per kg.

Apricot prices, for which no official rate was issued, sold at Rs400–500 per kg. Local pomegranate was fixed at Rs248–260 per kg but sold at Rs350–400 per kg.

Pears gained Rs30 per kg, fixed at Rs247–260 per kg, selling at Rs250–300 per kg.

Most essential food items remained unavailable at official prices, once again highlighting the limited effectiveness of the province's price control mechanism.

Citizens said that despite regular inspections and enforcement claims, retailers continue to disregard government-fixed prices with little fear of consequences. Unless authorities move beyond symbolic monitoring toward sustained enforcement with effective penalties, consumers are likely to remain at the mercy of price manipulators.