LAHORE:
The gap between official price lists and actual market rates continued to widen this week, leaving consumers absorbing the impact in Lahore’s retail markets.
Poultry prices remained largely stagnant on paper, but on the ground they told a different story. Live chicken was officially pegged at Rs 397 to Rs 411 per kilogram and remained unsold in several areas, while chicken meat was officially pegged at Rs 595 per kg but traded at Rs 660 to Rs 710. Boneless chicken continued to enjoy high prices, hovering at Rs 1,050 per kg and above in many districts.
Vegetable prices experienced mixed developments on official lists but remained high on retail markets. New sweet-skinned potatoes increased slightly to Rs 20-22 per kg, but sold at Rs 30-40. Tomatoes rose to Rs 80-85 per kg, with retail prices ranging from Rs 120 to Rs 160. Onion prices fell to Rs 57-62 per kg, but are still sold at Rs 72-100, reflecting continued distortions in the supply chain.
Among kitchen staples, local garlic prices declined up to Rs 137-145 per kg, but retailed at Rs 200-220. Chinese garlic saw a rise up to Rs 525-550 per kg and sold up to Rs 800, while Harnai garlic also registered gains, reaching Rs 450-500 in the markets detail. Thai ginger remained officially unchanged but continued to sell at Rs 400-450 per kg. In other vegetables, farm cucumbers climbed to Rs 62-65 per kg but were sold at Rs 100-120. Brinjal prices fell to Rs 52-55 per kg but rose to Rs 100-120, while bitter gourd fell as per official rates but still sold at nearly Rs 200 per kg. Spinach remained fixed at Rs 23-25 per kg, although consumers paid up to Rs 80.
Zucchini prices changed little from official rates but remained significantly higher in the markets, while local varieties continued to sell at Rs 250-280 per kg. Chinese lemons officially reached Rs 75-80 per kg, but jumped to Rs 200-300 at retail, with the local variety fetching higher levels. Pumpkin prices fell slightly, but still sold well above the notified rates. Prices of Ladyfinger fell on official lists but remained high in the markets, selling for between Rs 250 and Rs 300 per kg.
Green chilies and bell peppers also followed the same trend: stable or falling official rates coupled with significantly higher retail prices.
Among other products, cauliflower saw a sharp rise in official prices and sold even higher in the markets, while cabbage remained unchanged but continued to trade at more than double its notified price. Chinese carrots officially remained stable but sold at Rs 250-300 per kg, while local carrots also fetched high prices. Peas recorded one of the highest increases, officially rising to Rs 133-140 per kg, but selling for up to Rs 300.
Fruit prices remained under pressure. Apples ranged between Rs400 and Rs800 per kg, depending on quality, while bananas, guavas and papayas all exceeded the official rates. Dates remain among the most expensive items, retailing between Rs800 and Rs2,200 per kg.
Citrus fruits and seasonal produce also show persistent disparities. Musami and kinnow continued to sell well above official prices, while pomegranates, melons, strawberries, grapes, watermelon and Kandhari lokat traded at significantly higher prices than government-set prices.
The persistent divergence between official prices and retail reality highlights ongoing challenges in market regulation, increasing the burden on households.
