Prices of fruits, vegetables and other essential food items remained high in Lahore this week, with consumers forced to pay significantly more than government-fixed rates despite cuts announced by the district administration. The persistent gap between official prices and retail market rates has added to the financial burden on households and raised concerns over the effectiveness of the government’s price-control measures.
While the administration has revised down the official rates of several commodities, consumers say the reductions have yet to translate into meaningful relief at retail outlets, where many food items continue to be sold well above the notified prices. Citizens have urged the authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that official price reductions are actually passed on to consumers and that profiteering is brought under control.
According to the official price list, the price of live chicken was reduced by Rs10 per kilogram, bringing the official rate down to Rs319-333 per kg. The price of chicken meat was also reduced by Rs14 to Rs483 per kg. However, chicken meat continued to be sold in the retail market at Rs530-580 per kg, while boneless chicken was available for Rs850-1,000 per kg.
Vegetable prices showed a mixed trend. The administration reduced the official prices of several vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin, okra and cauliflower, but many of these items continued to be sold at considerably higher rates in the market.
The official price of sugar-free potatoes was increased by Rs3 per kg to Rs32-35, but they were being sold in the market for Rs50-70 per kg. Similarly, the official price of tomatoes was reduced by Rs35 to Rs160-175 per kg, while retailers were charging Rs250-300 per kg.
The official price of onions was increased by Rs25 to Rs185-195 per kg, but consumers were paying Rs220-250 per kg. Following a Rs10 reduction, the official price of local garlic was fixed at Rs152-160 per kg, yet it continued to be sold for Rs200-250 per kg.
The official rate of Thai and Chinese ginger remained at Rs315-330 per kg, while the commodity was being sold in the retail market for Rs400-450 per kg. The price of farm cucumbers was reduced by Rs50, with the official rate fixed at Rs85-90 per kg. However, retailers were charging Rs100-150 per kg. The official price of local lemons was increased by Rs40 to Rs175-185 per kg, but consumers were paying Rs250-300 per kg. Meanwhile, Chinese lemons were officially priced at Rs90-95 per kg but were being sold for Rs150-200 per kg.
The official price of pumpkin was reduced by Rs20 to Rs142-150 per kg, but it remained available in the market for Rs180-200 per kg. Likewise, the official price of okra was reduced by Rs30 to Rs152-160 per kg, while retailers continued to charge Rs200-240 per kg.
The persistent gap between official and retail prices has once again raised concerns over the effectiveness of the price-control mechanism. Citizens said that merely issuing official price lists was not enough and called for their effective enforcement to ensure consumers receive genuine relief from excessive pricing and profiteering.