Lahore:
An increase in the prices of perishable products in the province persisted for the fifth consecutive week, associated with a general overload that has pushed daily vegetables out of reach for the average consumer.
Almost no vegetable is available below RS200 per kilogram, highlighting the severity of the price crisis.
The creeping violations of the official rate lists continue, showing that a newly formed price control service has had no significant impact.
This week, the price of live chicken increased from RS15 per kg to RS389-403, but the sellers billed RS450-480. The chicken meat has been fixed at RS584 per kg, but sold at Rs 620-670, while the boned chicken recovered RS1,100-1.100.
Category A of soft skin of the potato has been fixed at RS80-85 but sold for Rs 140-150; Grade B was set at RS65-70 and C-Grade to RS55-60, with mixed varieties selling for RS120-130. The sugar-free quality potatoes were fixed at RS55-60, from Grade B to RS45-50 and a grade C to RS35-40, although mixed were sold to Rs100-120.
The onions remained officially unchanged at RS45-50 per kg for quality A, but were sold at RS80-100. Grade B was sold for RS35-40 and C-Grade for RS26-30, while the mix opted for RS60-70.
The tomatoes saw another increase in RS5 per kg, officially set at RS86-95 but sold to Rs150-160. Grade B was set at RS75-80 and C-Grade at RS70-75, while mixed quality tomatoes opted for RS120-130.
A single variety of apples has been set at RS150-225 but sold at RS200-350. Category A bananas increased from RS5 by dozen to Rs 92-215 but were sold to Rs 250-300. Category B bananas have been set at Rs 34-150, sold at RS200-230, while category C has been set at RS90-100 but sold at Rs150-180.
The dates increased from RS10 to RS460-490 but sold between RS900 and RS2,000. Papaya fell RS55 to Rs305-320 but was not available on the market. Cantaloup decreased from RS20 to RS134-140 but sold at RS150-200.
Peach fell from RS35, set at RS180-275 but sold to RS250-400. The mangoes of different types have been set at RS150-260 but sold to RS200-400. Cherry Boxs remained at RS380-400 but was not available.
