Food prices stay above official rates despite revised lists

Islamabad: A gap between government-notified prices and actual retail rates for essential food items remained in place this week, with consumers continuing to pay more than the officially fixed amounts for a range of commodities.

The latest price movements showed only limited changes in official lists, but market rates in many areas stayed well above those levels. The trend pointed to continuing weaknesses in price control arrangements, while buyers faced the impact of rising costs for everyday food items.

Officially, the price of live chicken was raised by Rs3 per kilogram to Rs397-411 per kg. Even so, it remained largely unavailable in several localities. The official rate for chicken meat also went up by Rs4 per kg to Rs595, but consumers were paying between Rs650 and Rs700 per kg in retail markets. Boneless chicken also remained expensive, selling for more than Rs1,100 per kg in many areas.

Vegetable prices showed mixed changes in official notifications, though retail markets continued to diverge from those rates. Tomatoes rose by Rs5 per kg in the official list to Rs75-80 per kg, but were being sold at Rs120 to Rs160 per kg. Onion prices were reduced by Rs5 per kg to Rs65-70 officially, yet market rates ranged from Rs80 to Rs120 per kg.

Potato prices were left unchanged at Rs18-20 per kg in the official schedule, but retail prices stood at Rs30 to Rs40 per kg. Farm cucumbers were increased in the official list to Rs47-50 per kg, though they were being sold for as much as Rs100 per kg.

The difference was also visible in commonly used kitchen items. Local garlic prices were cut by Rs20 per kg to Rs147-155 officially, but retail rates remained between Rs200 and Rs220 per kg. Chinese garlic increased slightly to Rs480-500 per kg in the official list, while it was being sold at Rs600 per kg. Harani garlic also remained costly in markets at Rs350-400 per kg despite a reduction in its official price.

Ginger prices were revised upward to Rs272-285 per kg, but consumers were still paying between Rs400 and Rs450 per kg in retail markets.

Among other vegetables, bitter gourd recorded an official increase of Rs15 per kg to Rs157-165, but was being sold at Rs200 to Rs250 per kg. Brinjal and pumpkin registered declines in official rates, although retail prices remained comparatively high. Ladyfinger, despite a Rs10 per kg reduction in the official list, continued to sell at Rs300-350 per kg against notified rates of Rs195-205.

The continued divergence between official prices and market rates highlighted the persistence of enforcement problems and supply-side issues, with the burden of the mismatch falling on consumers purchasing essential food items.