Retail food prices remain above official rates

LAHORE: Consumers in Lahore continued to pay more than officially notified rates for essential food items over the past week, with retailers selling vegetables, fruit, poultry and other staples well above prices fixed by the authorities.

According to the reported market rates, the gap between official prices and retail rates persisted despite continued monitoring and price control efforts by the district administration. Although the government issued daily price lists, retailers largely did not follow them and continued charging higher rates in city markets.

This trend continued even after recent cuts in petrol and diesel prices, which would ordinarily be expected to reduce transport costs and ease pressure on the prices of perishable goods. Instead, prices of most vegetables, fruit and poultry either increased further or remained significantly higher than the officially notified levels.

Poultry prices stayed elevated

Official prices for live chicken were reduced by Rs10 per kilogramme to Rs264-278 per kg, while the official price of chicken meat was lowered by Rs14 per kg to Rs403. However, chicken meat was being sold across Lahore at Rs460-520 per kg, while boneless chicken continued to retail at Rs800-850 per kg.

Vegetables sold well above notified rates

Among vegetables, potatoes were officially priced at Rs35-38 per kg but were sold in markets for Rs60-80 per kg. Tomato prices rose by Rs35 to an official rate of Rs190-205 per kg, yet retailers were charging Rs250-300 per kg. Onion prices increased by Rs17 per kg to Rs100-107 per kg, while market prices ranged from Rs120 to Rs140 per kg.

Local garlic was officially fixed at Rs135-140 per kg, but retailed at Rs200-250 per kg. Chinese garlic was being sold at around Rs600 per kg. The Harani variety of garlic, with an official rate of Rs243-245 per kg, was available in the market at Rs320-400 per kg.

Thai ginger increased by Rs40 per kg to an official rate of Rs335-350, but was sold for Rs450-500 per kg. Farm cucumbers were officially priced at Rs124-130 per kg and sold at Rs150-160 per kg, while local cucumbers, notified at Rs47-50 per kg, were being sold for Rs100-120 per kg.

Ladyfinger was officially priced at Rs95-100 per kg but retailed at Rs130-150 per kg. Capsicum was sold at Rs280-300 per kg against an official rate of Rs200-210 per kg.

Fruit prices also remained high

Other seasonal fruits, including peaches, papaya, apricots, pomegranates, grapes and phalsa, also continued to sell above officially notified rates in Lahore’s markets.