Lahore:
Food inflation has hit Lahore hard, with residents facing steep increases in the prices of chicken, vegetables, fruits, and meat. The surge comes as floods across Punjab disrupt agricultural supplies and an alleged poultry cartel keeps chicken rates artificially inflated.
Poultry Prices Remain Artificially High
Market observers claim that an undeclared cartel in the poultry sector has resurfaced in Lahore. Despite government price notifications, enforcement remains weak.
The last official revision was made on August 11, setting live chicken at Rs397–411 per kg and chicken meat at Rs595 per kg. However, retailers in Lahore are refusing to sell at these rates. Instead, live chicken is priced at Rs500–530 per kg, while chicken meat costs Rs630–750 per kg, well above official benchmarks.
This gap between government lists and market realities has sparked criticism of local authorities, including deputy commissioners and the newly formed Price Control and Commodity Management Department, for failing to control price manipulation.
Vegetables See Sharp Price Hikes
Floods in Punjab have damaged crops and disrupted supplies, pushing vegetable prices to record levels:
Potatoes: Official rate Rs55–85/kg, sold up to Rs150/kg
Tomatoes: Fixed at Rs127–140/kg, sold at Rs200–240/kg
Onions: Listed Rs70–75/kg, sold up to Rs120/kg
Garlic: Priced Rs200–210/kg, sold at Rs300/kg
Ginger: Fixed at Rs430–450/kg, sold between Rs600–800/kg
Other vegetables, including cucumbers, brinjals, spinach, and bitter gourd, are also trading far above government prices.
Fruits Beyond the Reach of Common Families
Fruit markets tell a similar story, with wide disparities between notified and market rates:
Apples: Listed Rs170–305/kg, sold up to Rs400/kg
Guavas: Fixed Rs205–215/kg, sold at Rs300/kg
Bananas: Officially Rs220/dozen, sold at Rs300/dozen
Premium Dates: Fixed Rs470–500/kg, sold between Rs800–2,000/kg
Public Voices Concern Over Food Inflation
The growing gap between official lists and market rates is putting immense pressure on households.
With weak enforcement and limited political oversight, Lahore’s residents continue to suffer from unchecked price manipulation and food inflation.
