Lahore shopkeepers ignore official rates for vegetables, fruits

LAHORE: In Lahore, the reduction in prices of perishable items has failed to make a significant impact on consumer prices, as a diverse trend in the prices of vegetables and seasonal fruits has been noted this week.

While certain vegetables and fruits experienced an increase in prices, the majority of seasonal vegetables either remained unchanged or saw slight reductions.

Notably, these adjusted rates have not been implemented across Lahore.

The price dynamics in the Lahore market are as follows:

Chicken

Chicken prices have risen by Rs12 per kg, fixed at Rs307-319 per kg. Unfortunately, the official rates were not adhered to, with chicken meat being sold at a higher price range of Rs360-400 per kg.

Chicken meat prices have also increased by Rs18 per kg, fixed at Rs463 per kg, but sold at a higher range of Rs520-1,000 per kg.

Potatoes

Potatoes soft skin new A-grade prices have remained unchanged at Rs53-58 per kg. However, B-grade potatoes have seen an increase of Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs48-52 per kg. C-grade potatoes are priced at Rs36-40 per kg, but are being sold at a range of Rs60-80 per kg.

Onion

Onion A-grade prices have increased by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs157-165 per kg, but are being sold in Lahore at Rs180-200 per kg. According to The News, B-grade onions have seen a rise of Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs134-140 per kg, and are being sold at Rs150-160 per kg. C-grade onions remain fixed at Rs115-120 per kg but are being sold at Rs130 per kg.

Tomatoes

Tomato A-grade prices have decreased by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs85-90 per kg, but are being sold at Rs160-200 per kg. B-grade tomatoes are fixed at Rs75-80 per kg, and C-grade tomatoes remain at Rs70-75 per kg. However, both B&C mixed tomatoes are being sold at Rs100-120 per kg.

Garlic

Local garlic prices have reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs400-415 per kg, but are being sold at Rs500 per kg. Garlic China prices remain unchanged at Rs570-590 per kg, but are being sold at Rs800 per kg.

Ginger

Ginger Thai prices have increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs380-395 per kg, and are being sold at Rs500 per kg. Garlic Indonesia has seen a rise of Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs290-300 per kg but is being sold at Rs400 per kg.

Bitter gourd

Bitter gourd prices have gained by Rs42 per kg, fixed at Rs125-130 per kg, but are being sold at Rs250-300 per kg.

Spinach

Spinach farm prices have decreased by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs40-43, and are being sold at Rs70-80 per kg. Local spinach has gained Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs57-60 per kg but is being sold at Rs100 per kg.

Carrot

Carrot Chinese prices have declined by Rs50 per kg, fixed at Rs125-130 per kg, and are being sold at Rs250 per kg. Local carrot prices remain unchanged at Rs38-40 per kg but are being sold at Rs50-60 per kg.

Turnip

Turnip prices have decreased by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs40-42 per kg, but are being sold at Rs60-80 per kg.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Methi) prices remain unchanged at Rs90-95 per kg but are being sold at Rs160 per kg.

Pea

Pea prices have decreased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs125-130 per kg but are being sold at Rs160-200 per kg.

Apple

Various varieties of apples have seen an increase of Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs60-270 per kg but are being sold at Rs180-500 per kg.

Banana

Banana A-category prices have gained by Rs10 per dozen, fixed at Rs140-145 per dozen and are being sold at Rs160-180 per dozen.

B-category bananas are fixed at Rs95-100 per dozen, sold at Rs130-140 per dozen, and C-category at Rs70-75 per dozen but are being sold at Rs100-120 per dozen.

Unfortunately, this trend reveals that vegetable and fruit shops in Lahore are once again not adhering to the government’s official rates.

Instead, they are setting their own prices, further burdening the inflation-hit masses. This practice raises concerns about accessibility to essential food items and the economic challenges faced by the public.

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