Shopkeepers in Lahore continue charging significantly higher prices for poultry and vegetables despite notable reductions announced in the official price list this week, with several essential items selling well above the notified rates.
Live chicken prices were lowered by Rs60 per kg and fixed at Rs309–323 per kg but were unavailable at these rates, while chicken meat, officially priced at Rs468 per kg after an Rs87 reduction, continued selling between Rs520 and Rs580 per kg. Chicken boneless remained at Rs800–950 per kg.
Vegetable prices showed similar disparities. New soft-skin potatoes were fixed at Rs80–85 per kg following a Rs15 cut but were sold for Rs140 per kg. Potato sugar-free, set at Rs32–35 per kg, retailed between Rs80 and Rs100 per kg. Onion prices, reduced by Rs17 per kg and fixed at Rs105–113 per kg, rose to Rs120–150 per kg in markets. Tomatoes, notified at Rs130–140 per kg, were sold at Rs180–220 per kg.
Garlic and ginger also registered wide gaps. Local garlic new, fixed at Rs172–180 per kg, sold for Rs250–300 per kg. Harani garlic, notified at Rs285–295 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg, and Chinese garlic, set at Rs400–420 per kg, retailed at Rs600 per kg. Ginger varieties, officially reduced to Rs295–310 per kg, continued selling at Rs400–500 per kg. Cucumber farm, fixed at Rs76–80 per kg, was sold at Rs100–120 per kg, while the local variety, priced at Rs95–100 per kg, reached Rs200 per kg.
Other essentials showed similar distortions. Bitter gourd, fixed at Rs57–60 per kg, sold at Rs100–140 per kg. Spinach, notified at Rs33–35 per kg, retailed at Rs50–70 per kg. Zucchini farm, set at Rs38–40 per kg, sold at Rs100–120 per kg, while the long variety, fixed at Rs38–40 per kg, was also lifted to the same range. Lemon (China), fixed at Rs65–70 per kg, was available at Rs150–200 per kg. Pumpkin, set at Rs62–65 per kg, sold for Rs100–140 per kg. Ladyfinger, officially fixed at Rs95–100 per kg, was sold at Rs300 per kg. Green chilli, fixed at Rs100–105 per kg, retailed at Rs150–200 per kg. Capsicum, set at Rs195–205 per kg, rose to Rs250–300 per kg. Cauliflower, fixed at Rs33–35 per kg, sold at Rs60–80 per kg, while cabbage, priced at Rs152–160 per kg, reached Rs180–200 per kg. Chinese carrots, notified at Rs176–185 per kg, sold at Rs300 per kg, and local carrots, fixed at Rs76–80 per kg, ranged between Rs100 and Rs140 per kg.
Despite the wide gap between official and retail prices, the newly formed Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) has not yet been able to enforce the province’s notified rates effectively.
