LAHORE:
The gap between official price lists and actual market prices has continued to widen this week, leaving consumers to absorb the impact across Lahore’s retail markets.
Poultry prices remained largely stagnant on paper, but told a different story on the ground. Live chicken was officially fixed at Rs 397-411 per kilogram and remained unsold in several areas, while chicken meat held at Rs 595 per kg officially but traded between Rs 660 and Rs 710. Boneless chicken continued to command steep premiums and hovered at Rs1,050 per kg. kg and above in many quarters.
Vegetable prices showed mixed movements in the official lists but remained high in the retail markets. Soft new potatoes rose marginally to Rs 20-22 per quintal. kg but sold for Rs 30-40. Tomatoes rose to Rs 80-85 per quintal. kg, with retail prices ranging between Rs 120 and 160. Onion prices eased to Rs 57-62 per kg but still sold between Rs 72-100, reflecting persistent supply chain distortions.
Among staples in the kitchen, local garlic prices fell to Rs 137-145 per kg. kg, but was sold at Rs 200-220. Chinese garlic rose to Rs 525-550. per kg and sold as high as Rs.800, while Harnai garlic also showed progress and reached Rs.450-500. in the retail markets. Thai ginger was officially unchanged but continued to sell at Rs 400-450. per kg. In other vegetables, farm cucumbers rose to Rs 62-65 per kg but were sold at Rs 100-120. Brinjal prices fell to Rs 52-55. per kg, however reached Rs.100-120, while bitter gourd fell in official prices but still sold close to Rs.200. per kg. Spinach remained fixed at Rs 23-25 per kg, though consumers paid up to Rs.80.
Zucchini prices showed little change in the official prices but remained significantly higher in the markets, while local varieties continued to sell at Rs 250-280. per kg. Chinese lemons officially rose to Rs 75-80 per kg but rose to Rs 200-300 at retail with the local variety reaching higher levels. Pumpkin prices fell, but still sold well above posted prices. Ladyfinger prices fell in the official lists but remained high in the markets, selling at Rs250-300 per kg.
Green chillies and paprika also reflected the same pattern – stable or falling official prices paired with significantly higher retail prices.
Among other products, cauliflower showed a sharp increase in official prices and sold even higher in the markets, while cabbage remained unchanged but continued to trade at more than double the notified price. Chinese carrots officially held steady but sold at Rs250-300 per kg, while local carrots also fetched high prices. Peas registered one of the steepest gains, officially jumping to Rs133-140 per kg but selling at up to Rs300.
Fruit prices remained under pressure. Apples ranged between Rs400 and Rs800 per kg, depending on quality, while bananas, guavas and papayas all exceeded the official rates. Dates remained among the costliest items, trading between Rs800 and Rs2,200 per quintal. kg.
Citrus fruits and seasonal produce also showed persistent differences. Musami and kinnow continued to sell well above the official prices, while Kandhari pomegranates, melons, strawberries, grapes, watermelon and lokat traded significantly above the state fixed prices.
The persistent divergence between official pricing and retail realities highlights ongoing challenges in market regulation, increasing the burden on households.
