Food prices in Lahore surge as monsoon rains, transport strike disrupt supplies

Monsoon rains and a strike by goods transporters have interrupted the movement of perishable food in Lahore, Profit by Pakistan Today reported, lifting retail rates for vegetables, fruits and poultry well above official levels. The gap between official price lists and what shoppers actually paid widened as enforcement stayed weak. Most perishable goods saw price rises during the week, although vegetable movements were mixed.

Live chicken went up by Rs35 per kg to Rs344 to Rs358, and the official chicken meat rate was fixed at Rs519 per kg, yet meat was selling for Rs550 to Rs630. Boneless chicken ranged from Rs850 to Rs1,000 per kg. Official tomato rates fell by Rs35 to Rs195 to Rs205 per kg, while retailers charged Rs300 to Rs400, and Chinese garlic was on sale at Rs600 per kg.

Fruit prices also stayed far above official rates, with apples selling for Rs300 to Rs500 against an official Rs220 to Rs300 per kg. Dates retailed at Rs800 per kg, while the official range was Rs320 to Rs460. SundarKhani grapes retailed at Rs700 to Rs800 even though their official rate had risen by Rs30 to Rs487 to Rs510. According to the report, the wider difference has strained family food spending in the city.