LAHORE:Consumers faced another punishing week as food inflation tightened its grip, with a sharp increase recorded in prices of poultry and selective vegetables despite marginal relief in a few kitchen staples. Market surveys showed that official price notifications once again failed to translate into real relief, as retailers continued to charge well above government-fixed rates, exposing weak enforcement and widening the trust deficit between consumers and regulators.
Although a downward adjustment was seen in items such as onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and cabbage, these reductions remained largely cosmetic at the retail level. On the other hand, a steep surge in chicken prices further strained household budgets already stretched by rising utility bills.
Traders blamed supply disruptions and higher input costs, while consumers complained that weekly price lists have become increasingly irrelevant in daily market transactions. This week, the official price of live chicken gained by Rs55 per kg and was fixed at Rs359–373 per kg, but it remained unavailable at these rates in most localities. Chicken meat was increased by Rs79 per kg and fixed at Rs540 per kg; however, it was sold between Rs570 and Rs650 per kg in retail markets, while boneless chicken continued to fetch between Rs900 and Rs1,000 per kg.
Soft-skin new potatoes saw a reduction of Rs13 per kg, with official rates fixed at Rs27–30 per kg, yet retailers sold them at Rs50–80 per kg. Prices for sugar-free store potatoes were fixed, though they were sold at Rs40–50 per kg.
Onion prices declined by Rs25 per kg and were fixed at Rs75–80, but sold at Rs100–120 per kg.Tomatoes reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs45–50 per kg, while retail prices ranged between Rs80 and Rs120 per kg.
Bitter gourd saw an increase of Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs76–80, but retailed at Rs200 per kg.Spinach prices remained unchanged at Rs28–30 per kg and sold at Rs50–70 per kg.Pea prices were reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs95–100, and sold at Rs120–140 per kg. Beetroot continued to sell at Rs200–250 per kg, while coriander was available at Rs40 per bundle.
Turnip prices reduced by Rs5 per kg and were fixed at Rs23–25, but sold at Rs50–60 per kg. Methi remained stable at Rs42–45 per kg and sold at Rs80–100 per kg.
Mustard leaves (saag) remained unchanged at Rs47–50 and sold at Rs50–60 per kg.Among fruits, apple prices remained unchanged at Rs200–395 per kg, while retail prices ranged from Rs250 to Rs600 per kg.
Banana prices remained unchanged at Rs135–150 per dozen but were sold at Rs120–180 per dozen. Guava prices reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs140–150, and sold at Rs120–180 per kg.
Pomegranate (danedar) declined by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs940–980, but sold at Rs1,200–1,400 per kg. Papaya prices further increased by Rs30 per kg to Rs229–240 and sold at Rs250–350 per kg.
