Food Prices Surge in Lahore Before Ramazan

In the lead-up to Ramazan, retail prices of essential food commodities across Lahore have escalated markedly, with market rates substantially exceeding officially notified price lists for poultry, vegetables, and frequently consumed fruits, according to market assessments.

Despite an official reduction of Rs40 per kilogram in live chicken prices to Rs309–323 per kg, the commodity remained largely unavailable at these prescribed rates in most areas. Similarly, chicken meat, although officially lowered by Rs58 per kg to Rs468, was commonly retailed between Rs500 and Rs550 per kg. Boneless chicken continued to trade at approximately Rs800 per kg or higher across various neighbourhoods.

A pronounced disparity was also observed in vegetable markets between notified and actual retail prices. Soft-skin new potatoes, fixed at Rs20–22 per kg, were sold at Rs30–40 per kg. Tomatoes, officially capped at Rs82–90 per kg, retailed between Rs120 and Rs160 per kg, while onions fixed at Rs55–60 per kg were sold at Rs80–100 per kg.

Local garlic, officially priced at Rs210–220 per kg, was available at Rs280–300 per kg, whereas Chinese garlic, fixed at Rs505–530 per kg, retailed between Rs600 and Rs700 per kg. Thai ginger, notified at Rs285–300 per kg, was sold at Rs400–450 per kg.

Farm cucumbers fixed at Rs42–45 per kg were sold at Rs70–100 per kg. Pumpkin, with an official rate of Rs114–120 per kg, retailed between Rs200 and Rs250 per kg. Green chilies fixed at Rs133–140 per kg were sold at Rs180–200 per kg, capsicum fixed at Rs138–140 per kg retailed at Rs180–220 per kg, and peas fixed at Rs38–40 per kg were sold at Rs60–100 per kg.

Fruit markets reflected similar inflationary trends. Apples fixed between Rs250 and Rs420 per kg were sold at Rs350–600 per kg depending on grade. A-category bananas, officially priced at Rs200–230 per dozen, retailed at Rs300–350 per dozen, while B-category bananas fixed at Rs125–140 per dozen were sold at Rs200–250 per dozen. Guavas fixed at Rs138–145 per kg were available at Rs200–250 per kg.

Dates fixed at Rs410–495 per kg were sold at significantly elevated rates ranging from Rs800 to Rs2,000 per kg. Papaya fixed at Rs325–340 per kg retailed at Rs350–450 per kg. Grapefruit fixed at Rs28–30 per piece was sold at Rs40–50 per piece, while musami fixed at Rs172–180 per dozen retailed at Rs200–250 per dozen. Citrus varieties fixed between Rs220 and Rs335 per dozen were sold at Rs300–450 per dozen.

Kandhari pomegranates fixed at Rs601–630 per kg were retailed at approximately Rs800 per kg, while danedar pomegranates fixed at Rs772–810 per kg were sold between Rs1,000 and Rs1,400 per kg. Melons fixed at Rs180–240 per kg were available at Rs250–300 per kg. Strawberries, for which no official rate was notified, were sold at Rs800–1,000 per kg.

Traders attributed the pre-Ramazan surge — beginning nearly ten days prior to the holy month — to reduced harvesting activity in orchards, particularly bananas and guavas, resulting in constrained supply at wholesale markets. Consumers, however, expressed concern that the persistent divergence between official rate lists and prevailing market prices has offered minimal relief as Ramazan approaches, raising questions regarding price enforcement and regulatory oversight.