Lahore Food Prices Remain Above Official Rates

Consumers across Lahore continued to pay significantly higher prices for poultry, vegetables, and fruits during the past week, as retail market rates remained well above the official price lists issued by the district administration despite recent reductions in petrol and diesel prices that were expected to lower transportation costs.

The gap between notified and market prices remained particularly evident in the poultry sector. The official price of chicken meat was reduced by Rs14 per kilogram to Rs403, yet retailers continued selling it between Rs460 and Rs520 per kilogram. Boneless chicken remained available at Rs800–850 per kilogram. Likewise, the official rate for live chicken was lowered by Rs10 per kilogram to Rs264–278, although the commodity was largely unavailable at government-notified prices.

Vegetable prices also continued to exceed official rates. Potatoes were officially priced at Rs35–38 per kilogram but retailed between Rs60 and Rs80. Tomatoes increased by Rs35 per kilogram, with the official rate fixed at Rs190–205, while retail prices ranged from Rs250 to Rs300. Onions, following an official increase of Rs17 per kilogram to Rs100–107, were sold in markets for Rs120–140.

Among essential kitchen items, local garlic increased by Rs5 per kilogram to Rs135–140, although consumers paid Rs200–250 in retail markets. Chinese garlic was available at approximately Rs600 per kilogram, while Harani garlic, officially priced at Rs235–245, sold between Rs320 and Rs400. Thai ginger rose by Rs40 per kilogram to Rs335–350, but retail prices remained considerably higher at Rs450–500.

For other vegetables, farm cucumbers were officially fixed at Rs124–130 per kilogram but retailed at Rs150–160, whereas local cucumbers remained officially priced at Rs47–50 yet sold for Rs100–120. Brinjal carried an official rate of Rs66–70 but retailed between Rs100 and Rs140. Bitter gourd increased by Rs5 per kilogram to Rs76–80 and sold for Rs100–140, while spinach, officially priced at Rs23–25, retailed between Rs80 and Rs100.

Local zucchini increased by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs105–110, with market prices reaching Rs140–150. Farm zucchini, officially priced at Rs52–55, remained unavailable, while long zucchini, fixed at Rs28–30, was also unavailable in the market.

Pumpkin increased by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs76–80 but continued selling between Rs100 and Rs120. Ladyfinger rose by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs95–100, with retail prices ranging from Rs130 to Rs150. Lufa, officially priced at Rs38–40, sold between Rs80 and Rs100.

Similarly, green chillies were officially fixed at Rs105–110 per kilogram but retailed at Rs150–160. Capsicum increased by Rs10 per kilogram to Rs200–210, while consumers paid Rs280–300. Although the official price of cauliflower was reduced by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs124–130, retail prices remained elevated at Rs200–220. Cabbage increased by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs66–70 but sold between Rs120 and Rs140.

Chinese carrots remained officially priced at Rs95–100 per kilogram yet retailed between Rs250 and Rs300. Peas increased by Rs10 per kilogram to Rs191–200, while retail prices ranged from Rs450 to Rs500.

Fruit prices also continued to remain well above official notifications. Apples carried official rates between Rs115 and Rs380 per kilogram, but market prices ranged from Rs250 to Rs600. A-grade bananas were officially priced at Rs193–215 per dozen but retailed between Rs300 and Rs350, while B-grade bananas were officially fixed at Rs125–140 and sold for Rs220–250 per dozen.

Dates remained officially priced between Rs360 and Rs470 per kilogram, although retail prices ranged from Rs800 to Rs2,400. Various mango varieties were officially fixed between Rs120 and Rs320 per kilogram, while market rates ranged from Rs200 to Rs400. Plums remained officially priced at Rs410–430 and retailed between Rs400 and Rs500.

Watermelon was officially fixed at Rs37–40 per kilogram but sold between Rs80 and Rs100. Litchi increased by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs645–675, while retailers charged Rs800–1,000. Cantaloupe, officially priced at Rs115–120, retailed between Rs150 and Rs180, whereas peaches, fixed at Rs190–270, sold between Rs250 and Rs350.

Finally, papaya carried an official rate of Rs260–277 per kilogram but retailed between Rs350 and Rs400, while jambolan was officially priced at Rs162–170 and sold in markets for Rs250–300 per kilogram.