LAHORE:
This week, prices for essential food items in Lahore have soared, with many sellers ignoring the official rates. The price of chicken, fruits, and vegetables has caused concern among local shoppers.
For the third week in a row, the official poultry rates have not changed. Sellers are frustrated, noting that daily shifts in supply and demand greatly affect their pricing.
According to official listings, live chicken should cost between Rs397 to Rs411 per kg. However, shoppers are finding it at Rs460 to Rs480 per kg. Similarly, while the official price for chicken meat is Rs595 per kg, market rates are significantly higher, ranging from Rs670 to Rs740. Even boneless chicken is priced at Rs1,000 to Rs1,100 across various areas.
The vegetable market tells a similar story of disparity. Potatoes are officially priced at Rs50 to Rs55 per kg but are often sold for Rs80 to Rs100. Onions, which have a listed price of Rs60 to Rs65, are available at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg. Tomatoes officially cost Rs45 to Rs50 but can reach Rs100 to Rs120 in stores. Local garlic, priced at Rs300, is sold for around Rs500 per kg. Ginger, set at Rs360 to Rs375 per kg, sees market prices of Rs400 to Rs600.
Cucumbers officially go for Rs52 to Rs55 per kg, though they are selling at Rs80 to Rs120. Brinjal prices range from Rs57 to Rs60 officially but can go up to Rs120 at market. Bitter gourd has an official price of Rs162 to Rs170 per kg, but it’s seen at Rs280 to Rs300 per kg in the market.
Fruit prices are also varying widely. Apples, listed at Rs170 to Rs325 per kg, are being sold for Rs250 to Rs600. Bananas, officially priced at Rs250 to Rs260 for a dozen, reach Rs350 to Rs400. Guavas, with an official price of Rs160 to Rs220, are more commonly sold at Rs250 to Rs300 per kg.
Kinow is officially priced at Rs180 to Rs425 per dozen but is sold for Rs400 to Rs700. Pomegranates of the Danaydar variety, set at Rs420 to Rs440, can cost shoppers between Rs600 to Rs800 per kg. Finally, strawberries, which have an official range of Rs200 to Rs465 per kg, frequently reach Rs350 to Rs450 on the market.
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