LAHORE:Official price notifications for essential food items remained largely ineffective for the eleventh consecutive day as market rates continued to defy government-fixed lists, underscoring weak enforcement and a widening credibility gap in price regulation. Despite repeated notifications, consumers saw little relief at the retail level, with poultry, vegetables and fruits selling significantly above official rates across the city.
Market analysts say the persistence of inflated retail prices, even when official rates remain unchanged or are revised downward, reflects structural failures in monitoring rather than short-term supply issues. With administrative checks failing to translate into compliance, retailers continue to price freely, leaving households exposed to unchecked food inflation at a time when purchasing power is already under pressure from rising utility and transport costs.
Live chicken prices remained unchanged for the last eleven days on the official rate list, fixed at Rs397–411 per kg, but the commodity was largely unavailable at these prices. Chicken meat followed the same pattern: despite an official rate of Rs595 per kg, consumers paid between Rs630 and Rs700 per kg, while boneless chicken hovered close to Rs1,000 per kg and above in many neighbourhoods.
Soft-skin new potatoes remained unchanged at Rs22–25 per kg, yet retailers charged Rs40–70 per kg. Tomato prices increased by Rs25 per kg to an official Rs85–90, but market rates remained sharply higher, ranging from Rs140 to Rs180 per kg. Onion prices were reduced by Rs5 per kg to Rs50–55, though they continued to sell between Rs80 and Rs100 per kg.
Local garlic prices rose by Rs5 per kg and were fixed at Rs157–165 per kg, but retailed at Rs250–280 per kg. Harani garlic increased by Rs10 to Rs295–310 per kg and continued to sell at around Rs400 per kg, while Chinese garlic remained unchanged at Rs435–455 per kg and retailed near Rs600 per kg. Thai ginger declined by Rs15 to Rs280–290 per kg, while Chinese ginger fell by Rs25 to Rs270–280 per kg; both varieties sold between Rs400 and Rs450 per kg. Farm cucumbers jumped by Rs30 per kg to Rs85–90, but were sold at Rs120–150 per kg. Brinjal increased by Rs15 to Rs71–75 per kg and fetched up to Rs120 per kg. Bitter gourd gained Rs5 per kg and was fixed at Rs75–80, yet continued to retail at around Rs300 per kg. Spinach prices rose by Rs5 to Rs23–25 per kg, though consumers paid Rs40–60 per kg.
Zucchini prices surged by Rs45 per kg to Rs71–75 per kg and were sold at Rs100–120 per kg, while long zucchini remained unchanged at Rs23–25 per kg but fetched Rs80–100 per kg. Chinese lemons declined by Rs5 to Rs60–65 per kg, though retail prices surged to Rs150–200 per kg. Pumpkin prices fell by Rs10 to Rs47–50 per kg, but continued to sell between Rs150 and Rs200 per kg. Green chilies declined by Rs10 to Rs100–105 per kg and retailed at Rs150–200 per kg. Capsicum remained unchanged at Rs90–95 per kg, selling at Rs130–150 per kg. Cauliflower gained Rs5 per kg and was fixed at Rs28–30, sold at Rs50–60 per kg, while cabbage rose by Rs10 to Rs71–75 per kg and retailed at Rs120–140 per kg.
Chinese carrots remained unchanged at Rs162–170 per kg but sold at Rs300 per kg, while local carrots, fixed at Rs28–30 per kg, fetched up to Rs60 per kg. Pea prices rose by Rs5 to Rs62–65 per kg and sold at Rs80–100 per kg. Beetroot continued to retail at Rs250–300 per kg, coriander was available at Rs40 per bundle, and turnips, unchanged at Rs23–25 per kg, sold at Rs40–60 per kg. Methi increased by Rs10 to Rs57–60 per kg, though market rates stayed elevated at Rs80–100 per kg.
Fruit prices showed mixed trends. Apple prices increased by Rs10 per kg and were officially fixed between Rs215 and Rs400 per kg, but sold at Rs300–600 depending on quality. Banana prices remained unchanged at Rs135–150 per dozen, though retail prices ranged from Rs150 to Rs250 per dozen.
Dates prices were reduced by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs400–515, but sold as high as Rs2,000 per kg. Papaya prices increased by Rs25 per kg to Rs262–275 and sold at Rs350–400 per kg. Grapefruit remained fixed at Rs28–30 per piece and sold at Rs40–50 per piece, while musami prices stayed unchanged at Rs157–165 per dozen but sold at Rs200–250 per dozen.
Kinow prices were fixed between Rs200 and Rs320 per dozen, but retailed at Rs400–600 per dozen. Fruiter prices remained unchanged at Rs153–160 per dozen and sold at Rs200–250 per dozen. Kandhari pomegranates were fixed at Rs535–560 per kg and sold at around Rs800 per kg, while danedar pomegranates were fixed at Rs790–830 per kg but retailed between Rs1,000 and Rs1,400 per kg.
