Price hikes poultry fruits vegetables before Eid for the second consecutive week in Lahore, with widespread overcharging reported. Most seasonal and perishable goods recorded a significant rise in prices compared to last week.
Vendors sold items at arbitrary prices, despite official rate lists issued by district administration. This is due to a lack of a functioning price control mechanism and zero interest from elected officials, causing public frustration.
This week, the price of live chicken has increased by PKR 18 per kg; officials fixed the range between PKR 397 and PKR 411. Shopkeepers, however, are not selling live chicken, instead offering significantly high prices of chicken meat ranging from PKR 580 to PKR 760 per kg as well as boneless meat at PKR 900 to PKR 1,050, which are all far above the government-prescribed rates.
Moreover, the official price of soft-skin A-grade potatoes was raised by PKR 5 per kg, setting the price range at PKR 45 to PKR 50. However, they are being sold in the market for PKR 80 to PKR 100 per kg. Similarly, B-grade potatoes are listed at PKR 35 to PKR 40 per kg and C-grade potatoes at PKR 32 to PKR 35 per kg but mixed varieties are being sold for PKR 50 to PKR 70 per kg.
The official price of onions and tomatoes decreased by PKR 5, set at PKR 30 to PKR 35 but they were significantly sold at higher prices, ranging between PKR 80 and PKR 100. While B-grade and C-grade tomatoes and onions were fixed at PKR 27 to PKR 30 and PKR 22 to PKR 25 respectively and are being mixed and sold at PKR 50 to PKR 60.
Among fruits, different varieties of apples increased PKR 10, listed at PKR 220 to PKR 365 per kg and are sold at PKR 250 to PKR 800 per kg. Watermelon gained PKR 5, set at PKR 38 to PKR 40 but is sold at PKR 50 to PKR 80 per kg. Lokat rose by PKR 15, listed at PKR 138 to PKR 145, and are sold at PKR 180 to PKR 250. However, the price of melon stayed at PKR 55 to PKR 95 and sold at PKR 130 to PKR 150.
