Retail prices stay above official food rates in city markets

KARACHI: Consumers across the city continued to pay more than the officially notified rates for key food items, as retailers largely ignored government price lists for vegetables, fruit and poultry products.

A market survey cited by Express Tribune found that even after fresh revisions in official prices, most items were still not being sold at the prescribed rates. Residents complained that official lists are issued regularly, but are rarely enforced in many areas, leaving households to bear the pressure of higher food costs.

Poultry prices eased slightly during the past week on paper, with the official rate for live chicken cut by Rs10 per kilogramme to Rs274-288 per kg. The official price of chicken meat was also reduced by Rs15 to Rs417 per kg. In retail markets, however, chicken meat was being sold at Rs460 to Rs500 per kg, while boneless chicken was available at Rs700-750 per kg in several neighbourhoods. Live chicken was also largely unavailable at the notified official rates.

Vegetable prices showed a mixed trend, but retail rates remained well above the official list. The price of soft-skin new potatoes was increased by Rs10 per kg, setting the official rate at Rs27-30 per kg, though retailers were charging Rs40 to Rs60 per kg. Tomatoes rose by Rs30 per kg in the official list to Rs70-75 per kg, but were being sold at Rs120 to Rs150 per kg. Onion prices were officially lowered by Rs10 per kg to Rs65-70 per kg, yet retail prices remained between Rs80 and Rs120 per kg.