LAHORE:Consumers continued to face inflated food prices this week as the gap between official rates and retail market prices persisted across the provincial capital. Although official prices of several vegetables and fruits registered declines, traders continued selling most commodities far above notified rates, reflecting weak enforcement and limited market compliance.
Poultry prices moved upward, adding pressure on household budgets. Live chicken gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs359–373 per kg and remained unsold across the city, while chicken meat by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs540 per kg officially but sold between Rs580 and Rs650 per kg. Boneless chicken continued to fetch steep rates, hovering around Rs850-950 per kg in several neighbourhoods.
Vegetable prices showed mixed trends but remained elevated in retail markets. Soft-skin new potatoes unchanged at Rs18-20 per kg, yet sold at Rs30–40 per kg. Tomatoes further downed by Rs5 per kg to Rs27–30 per kg, while retail prices ranged between Rs60 and Rs100 per kg. Onion prices reduced by Rs5 per kg to Rs55–60 per kg but continued to sell between Rs70 and Rs100 per kg.
Among essentials, local garlic prices unchanged at Rs125–130 per kg but retailed at Rs180–200 per kg. Chinese garlic downed by Rs25 per kg, fixed at Rs485–505 per kg and sold at Rs800, while Harani garlic gained by Rs27 per kg, fixed at Rs277–290 per kg and fetched Rs400–500 per kg. Thai ginger unchanged at Rs275–285 per kg but sold at Rs400–450 per kg.
Ladyfinger prices gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs95–100 per kg but retailed at Rs120–160 per kg.
Fruit prices also remained high. Apples were fixed between Rs280-420 per kg but sold at Rs400–800 per kg. Banana prices continued to exceed official rates, A-Grade was fixed at Rs193-215 per dozen, sold at Rs 300-350 per dozen, B-grade fixed at Rs125-140 per dozen, sold at Rs 220-250 per dozen. Dates rates were remained fixed at Rs350-470 per kg, so between Rs800 and Rs2,200 per kg.Different varieties of mangoes were fixed at Rs190-300 per kg, sold at Rs250-400 per kg.
Melon price was downed by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs70-120 per kg, sold at Rs 100-150 per kg, Strawberries were fixed at Rs 220-230 per kg, sold at Rs350-450 per kg. Grapes were fixed at Rs190-200 per kg, sold at Rs600-800 per kg.Watermelon was downed by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs47-50 per kg, sold at Rs50-70 per kg.
