LAHORE : Consumers endured another punishing week as food inflation tightened its grip, with sharp increase recorded in prices of poultry and selective vegetables despite marginal relief in a few kitchen staples.
Market surveys revealed 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 observed in items such as onions, cucumbers and cabbage, these reductions remained largely cosmetic at the retail level. In contrast, a steep surge in chicken prices further strained household budgets already stretched by rising utility bills. Traders cited supply disruptions and higher input costs, while consumers complained that weekly price lists have increasingly become irrelevant in daily market transactions.
This week, the official price of live chicken gained by Rs20 per kg and fixed at Rs379–393 per kg, but it remained unavailable at these rates in most localities. Chicken meat increased by Rs29 per kg, fixed at Rs569 per kg, sold between Rs600 and Rs680 per kg in retail markets, while boneless chicken continued to fetch between Rs900 and Rs1,100 per kg.
Soft-skin new potatoes remained unchanged 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 Rs30–40 per kg. Onion price declined by Rs18 per kg, fixed at Rs57–62, but sold at Rs80–100 per kg. Tomato prices gained by Rs30 per kg and were fixed at Rs75–80 per kg, while retail prices ranged between Rs100 and Rs150 per kg.
Local new garlic further increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs157–165 per kg, but continued to sell at Rs200–250 per kg. Harani garlicgained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs315–330 per kg, while retail prices stood at Rs400 per kg. Chinese garlic declined by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs430–450 per kg, yet sold at Rs600 per kg.
Thai ginger declined sharply by Rs70 per kg to Rs275–290 per kg, sold between Rs400 and Rs450 per kg.
Farm cucumbers remained unchanged at Rs47–50 per kg but sold at Rs80–100 per kg. Bitter gourd prices fell by Rs10 per kg to Rs66–70, yet continued to retail at around Rs200 per kg. Spinach price remained unchanged at Rs28–30 per kg and sold at Rs50–70 per kg.
Pea price reduced by Rs30 per kg and fixed at Rs66–70, while retail prices ranged between Rs100 and Rs120 per kg. Beetroot continued to sell at Rs200–250 per kg, while coriander was available at Rs40 per bundle.
Turnip prices remained unchanged at Rs23–25 per kg but sold at Rs40–60 per kg. Methi remained stable at Rs42–45 per kg and sold at Rs80–100 per kg. Mustard leaves (saag) reduced by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs33–35, while retail price stood at Rs50–60 per kg.
Among fruits, apple prices remained unchanged at Rs200–395 per kg, while retail prices ranged between Rs250 and Rs600 per kg. Banana prices remained unchanged at Rs135–150 per dozen but sold at Rs120–180 per dozen. Guava prices declined sharply by Rs45 per kg, fixed at Rs100–105, while retail prices ranged from Rs120 to Rs140 per kg.
Pomegranate (Kandhari) price cut by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs568–595, but sold at Rs700–1,000 per kg. Pomegranate (danedar) price increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs942–985, while retail prices remained between Rs1,200 and Rs1,400 per kg. Papaya prices increased by Rs10 per kg to Rs240–250 and sold at Rs250–350 per kg.
Musami price cut by Rs10 per dozen, fixed at Rs157–165 per dozen, though retail rates reached Rs200–220 per dozen. Citrus fruit price gained by Rs10 per dozen, fixed at Rs247–260 per dozen, while retail price ranged between Rs250 and Rs400 per dozen. Fruiter price cut by Rs5 per dozen, fixed at Rs157–165, but sold at Rs220–280 per dozen.
