Lahore Retail Prices Continue to Exceed Official Rates

Consumers in Lahore continued to pay significantly higher prices for essential food items than those notified by the government, as many retailers reportedly ignored official price lists despite recent reductions in petrol and high-speed diesel prices that were expected to lower transportation costs and ease food inflation.

Officially, live chicken prices were increased by Rs55 per kg and fixed between Rs309 and Rs323 per kg. However, reports indicated limited availability in several areas of the city. The official price of chicken meat was raised by Rs65 per kg to Rs468 per kg, yet retailers continued selling it between Rs510 and Rs550 per kg, while boneless chicken was available at Rs850 to Rs950 per kg.

Vegetable prices also remained well above the notified rates. Sugar-free potatoes, officially priced at Rs32 to Rs35 per kg, were sold in retail markets for Rs60 to Rs80 per kg. Local tomatoes, notified at Rs185 to Rs200 per kg, and Iranian tomatoes, officially priced between Rs130 and Rs140 per kg, were both being sold at Rs200 to Rs300 per kg.

Similarly, onions carried an official price of Rs97 to Rs105 per kg, but consumers reportedly paid Rs120 to Rs140 per kg in retail markets.

The notified price of locally produced garlic declined by Rs5, bringing it to Rs130 to Rs135 per kg, although market prices remained significantly higher at Rs200 to Rs250 per kg. Chinese garlic was sold at approximately Rs600 per kg, well above its official price range of Rs315 to Rs330 per kg, while Harani garlic retailed between Rs320 and Rs400 per kg against the notified rate of Rs235 to Rs245 per kg.

Ladyfinger (okra) remained officially priced between Rs95 and Rs100 per kg, but retailers charged Rs130 to Rs150 per kg. The notified price of luffa increased by Rs20 to Rs57 to Rs60 per kg, whereas retail prices ranged from Rs80 to Rs100 per kg.

Fruit prices also reflected considerable differences between official and market rates. Apples, depending on the variety, carried government-notified prices ranging from Rs115 to Rs390 per kg, but were reportedly sold for Rs250 to Rs600 per kg. Banana prices also exceeded official rates, while various mango varieties, officially priced between Rs110 and Rs315 per kg, were available in markets at Rs200 to Rs400 per kg.

The continued disparity between government-notified prices and actual retail rates has renewed concerns regarding the effectiveness of Punjab’s price control mechanism and the enforcement of official pricing regulations.