Lahore:
Strong rains and floods through Punjab have disrupted the movement of food supplies in Lahore, leaving the wholesale markets short of key perishable items and triggering live price increases through poultry, vegetables and fruits.
Consumers have indicated that the shortage has not only reduced the availability of fresh products but also pushed quality, many items damaged or smaller quantities. The absence of surveillance and application of the active government has still enabled retailers to charge well above official prices, increasing frustration among buyers already faced the increase in life costs.
Traders from the main wholesale markets said that vegetable and fruit trucks could not reach Lahore due to damaged road closings from areas affected by floods. The reduced influx has noted less choice for wholesalers and retailers, who have transmitted cost increases to end consumers.
Learn more: Record floods move millions in Punjab
Poultry was among the hardest affected categories. Living chicken, at an official price between RS 397 and RS 411 per kilogram, was sold to customers at Rs 500 to Rs 530. Chicken Meat, which had a fixed rate of RS 595 per kilogram, was sold between RS 650 and Rs 750 in retail stores, while the desperate chicken was sold as high as Rs 1,100.
Vegetables have also seen general increases. The potatoes with soft skin increased from 5 to Rs to 85 to Rs 90 per kilogram on the official list, but at retail at Rs 150. The lower potatoes were fixed at Rs 55 to Rs 75, but sold until Rs 125 to Rs 130. The onions were officially at a price between RS 65 and Rs 70 per kilogram RS Were Sold at Nearly Double, Ranging from RS 180 to Rs 200. Garlic, Listed at Rs 205 to Rs 215 per kilogram, was sold at Rs 300, While the Harani variety Increased by Rs 5 to Rs 282 to Rs 295 But Was Retaled at Rs 400. 465, Fetched RS 600 to Rs 700 on the markets.
Other common vegetables, including bitter gourd, brinjal, zucchini, luffa, capsicum, cauliflower, pumpkin and ladyfinger, also recorded price jumps from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per kilogram above official notifications. Only Chinese spinach and carrots have shown slight discounts, but even they have sold at higher than fixed prices.
The fruit markets also reflected a similar imbalance. The apples, bananas, guava, peaches and plums remained unchanged on the government list, but the retailers demanded significantly higher rates. The mangoes of different varieties have increased by 50 rupees per kilogram, fixed at Rs 210 to Rs 310 but sold between Rs 200 and Rs 450. The grapes of the Sundarkhani variety won RS 10, with official prices fixed at Rs 440 to Rs 460, but were sold at Rs 500 to Rs. The Kakis, fixed at Rs 168 to Rs 175 per kilogram, sold nearly double, from Rs 300 to Rs 350.
Also read: The Triplets of Gujranwala die at birth while the floods block access to the hospital
City buyers expressed anger against uncontrolled profit. Many said that the authorities had failed to guarantee compliance with the price lists posted on the markets. “Price control teams are not found,” said a consumer, Ali Ahmad, Shadman Market. “Each seller invoices what they want, and there is no one to stop them.”
Market observers noted that the convergence of natural disruption and low application has made consumers vulnerable to exploitation. Crue waters always hindering transport routes and forecasts of more rain, traders expect the disturbances of the supply chain to persist in the coming weeks.
Economists warn that prolonged shortages of fresh products could add to broader inflationary pressures that already weigh heavily on urban households.
