LAHORE:Mainly increasing trend was recorded in the rates of the perishables as daily used vegetables rates were increased while the gap between official price lists and actual market rates persisted this week as well.
The consumers continuing to pay significantly higher prices for essential food items despite minor adjustments in notified rates. This reflects weak enforcement and limited availability of commodities at government-fixed prices across the city.
This week, live chicken prices were gained by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs397–411 per kg. However, the live chicken was largely unsold across many localities. Chicken meat also gained by Rs4 per kg, fixed at of Rs595 per kg, while consumers paid between Rs650 and Rs700 per kg. Boneless chicken continued to sell at significantly higher rates, hovering around Rs1100 per kg and above in several neighbourhoods.
The price of soft-skin new potatoes unchanged at Rs18–20 per kg but sold at Rs30–40 per kg. Tomatoes price gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs75–80 per kg, yet retail prices ranged from Rs120 to Rs160 per kg. Onion prices were marginally downed by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs65–70 per kg, though they continued to sell between Rs80 and Rs120 per kg. Local garlic prices fixed sharply reduced by Rs20 per kg, come to Rs147–155 per kg rates, but retailed at Rs200–220 per kg. Chinese garlic marginally gained by Rs5 per kg, to Rs480–500 per kg and sold Rs600.
Bitter gourd gained by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs157–165 per kg but continued to retail at Rs200–250 per kg. Spinach prices unchanged at Rs23–25 per kg, though consumers paid Rs60–80 per kg.
Ladyfinger was also down by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs195–205 per kg but sold at Rs300–350 per kg. Green chilies, reduced to Rs100–105 per kg with Rs5 per kg decline, yet retailed at Rs150–200 per kg. Capsicum fixed at Rs76–80 per kg and sold at Rs140-180 per kg.
Apples were officially gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed between Rs290 and Rs450 per kg but sold at Rs400–800 per kg depending on quality. Banana A-category fixed at Rs210–230 per dozen, yet retail rates ranged from Rs300 to Rs350 per dozen. B-category bananas were fixed at Rs125–140 per dozen but sold at Rs200–250 per dozen.
Guava prices were fixed at Rs152–160 per kg and sold between Rs180 to Rs250 per kg. Dates were fixed at Rs355–475 per kg but retailed between Rs800 and Rs2,200 per kg. Kandhari pomegranates increased by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs675–710 per kg and sold between Rs1,000 and Rs1,200 per kg. Melon fixed at Rs65–95 per kg but sold at Rs100–150 per kg. Strawberry prices were unchanged at Rs180-190 per kg, sold at Rs250–350 per kg, while grapes, fixed at Rs390–505 per kg, retailed between Rs600 and Rs1,000 per kg. Watermelon was fixed at Rs52-55 per kg, sold at Rs80-120 per kg.
