Market prices of poultry, fruits, vegetables rise ahead of Eid
LAHORE:
Ahead of Eidul Azha, prices of perishable commodities continued to rise for the second consecutive week in Lahore, accompanied by widespread overcharging.
Most seasonal vegetables, fruits and poultry items recorded significant price hikes compared to the previous week.
Despite official rate lists issued by the district administration, vendors across the city sold items at arbitrary prices, largely unchecked.
The lack of a functioning price control mechanism, along with little interest from elected representatives, has led to growing public frustration.
The price of live chicken increased by Rs18 per kilogram this week, officially fixed between Rs397 and Rs411.
However, shopkeepers avoided selling live poultry, instead offering chicken meat at Rs580 to Rs760 per kg, and boneless meat at Rs900 to Rs1,050 well above the government-prescribed rates.
The official price of soft-skin A-grade potatoes increased by Rs5 per kg, set at Rs45 to Rs50, but they were sold in the markets for Rs80 to Rs100. B-grade potatoes were listed at Rs37 to Rs40 and C-grade at Rs32 to Rs35, but mixed varieties were sold for Rs50 to Rs70 per kg.
A-grade onions dropped by Rs5, officially priced at Rs30 to Rs35 per kg, but were sold at Rs80. B- and C-grade onions, priced at Rs27 to Rs30 and Rs22 to Rs25 respectively, were mixed and sold at Rs50 to Rs60.
Tomatoes followed a similar trend, with A-grade declining by Rs5 to Rs30 to Rs35 per kg, yet sold at Rs80 to Rs100. B-grade tomatoes were fixed at Rs27 to Rs30, and C-grade at Rs22 to Rs25, while mixed varieties went for Rs50 to Rs60.
Among fruits, different varieties of apples gained Rs10, fixed at Rs220 to Rs365, but sold for Rs250 to Rs800 per kg. Official price of melon stayed at Rs55 to Rs95 but was sold at Rs130 to Rs150.
Watermelon rose by Rs5 to Rs38 to Rs40 but was sold at Rs50 to Rs80. Lokat gained Rs15 to Rs138 to Rs145 and was sold at Rs180 to Rs250.