Kitchen item prices fall on paper, but Lahore consumers pay more at markets

Profit, citing a market survey, reported that Lahore consumers kept paying more for vegetables, poultry and fruit last week than the government-notified rates, even though official prices of several essential food items were lowered. Official poultry rates barely moved, with live chicken set between Rs364 and Rs378 per kilogram, yet live birds were largely unavailable across the city. Chicken meat sold between Rs570 and Rs650 per kg, while boneless chicken fetched Rs900 to Rs1,100 per kg.

Vegetable retail prices stayed well above official levels. Tomatoes notified at Rs100 to Rs130 per kg sold for Rs180 to Rs200, and spinach sold for Rs80 to Rs100 even after its official rate was cut by Rs10 to Rs38 to Rs40. Capsicum was cut by Rs40, to between Rs190 and Rs200 per kg, but retail prices held at Rs250 to Rs300, and Chinese garlic was priced at Rs800 per kg against an official Rs400 to Rs415.

Fruit showed similar gaps, with dates notified at Rs310 to Rs435 per kg selling for Rs800 to Rs2,400 depending on variety. Danedar pomegranates fetched Rs800, while their notified band was Rs567 to Rs595, and black grapes were priced at Rs800 per kg, above their official Rs477 to Rs500 range. Profit said the gap shows that official reductions have not reached consumers, raising concerns about price monitoring and enforcement in Lahore's markets.