LAHORE:There was once again no relief for consumers this week as both artificial and actual food inflation continued to push retail prices upward. Most seasonal vegetables saw another round of increases, while shopkeepers failed to pass on reduction where wholesale rates had eased.
Traders appear largely unfazed by government regulations, with many retailers openly ignoring official price lists. Market observers say the administration’s focus remains on cosmetic ‘price control drives’ rather than meaningful enforcement—an approach that continues to erode public trust. With households already burdened by high energy tariffs and tight budgets, the gap between official rates and real market prices is widening. This week, live chicken gained another Rs25 per kg, fixed at Rs324–338 per kg but unavailable at that rate in the city. Chicken meat price rose by Rs37 per kg, fixed at Rs490 but sold at Rs550–600 per kg, while boneless chicken ranged from Rs800–1,000 per kg.
Softskin new potatoes were fixed at Rs55–60 per kg but sold at Rs80–100. Sugar-free store potatoes were fixed at Rs22–25 per kg but sold at Rs50–60. Onions were fixed at Rs93–100 but traded at Rs100–130. Tomatoes fixed at Rs55–60, sold at Rs80–120.
Local new garlic was fixed at Rs152–160 but sold at Rs200–250. Harani garlic, fixed at Rs285–300, sold at Rs400, while Chinese garlic, fixed at Rs400–420, retailed at Rs600. Both Thai and Chinese ginger were fixed at Rs270–280 but sold at Rs320–400 per kg.
Fruit prices also saw notable jumps. Apples increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs200-390 but sold at Rs250–700 per kg. Bananas remained fixed at Rs135–150 per dozen but sold at Rs120–180.
Guavas were fixed at Rs142–150 but sold at Rs150–250 per kg. Pomegranate (Kandhari), fixed at Rs615–645, sold at Rs800–1,000; pomegranate (danedar), fixed at Rs977–1,025, sold at Rs1,200–1,400.
Papaya, fixed at Rs195–205, sold at Rs200–300. Grapefruit fixed at Rs33–35 per piece, sold at Rs40–50; musami fixed at Rs157–165 per dozen, sold at Rs150–200. Citrus fruit fixed at Rs195–205 per dozen, sold at Rs250–300; fruiter fixed at Rs205–215, also sold at Rs250–300 per dozen.
