Markets defy official food prices

As Ramazan nears its end, the government’s campaign to enforce official price lists in Lahore’s markets appears to have yielded little tangible relief for consumers, with traders continuing to sell essential commodities well above notified rates.

Market surveys suggest that most food items — from vegetables and fruits to poultry and dairy products — remain largely unavailable at government-fixed prices. For many residents, the weekly price lists issued by the district administration have increasingly become symbolic rather than enforceable.

Officials have maintained that inspection drives are being carried out and penalties imposed to curb overcharging.

However, consumers say the enforcement effort has largely focused on Sahulat Ramazan Bazaars — subsidised markets operating under a separate administrative structure designed to provide commodities at controlled-price.

Critics argue that the emphasis on these bazaars has diverted attention from the much larger network of neighbourhood markets where most residents purchase their daily food items. Instead of ensuring compliance in open markets, the district administration and the special assistant on food safety and consumer protection have repeatedly highlighted visits to Ramazan Bazaars as evidence of enforcement.

Analysts say that while issues in subsidisled bazaars can often be addressed through administrative coordination, the real challenge lies in monitoring the thousands of outlets operating across the city.

In the markets, violations of official price lists remain widespread. Essential commodities — including milk, curd, pulses and perishables — are rarely sold at the prices set by authorities.

Assistant commissioners occasionally impose fines during inspections, but traders frequently resume overcharging once officials leave. Shopkeepers in several markets acknowledged that such penalties had limited deterrent effect.

Instead, fines are often treated as a routine business expense, with the additional cost ultimately passed on to customers through higher prices.

Consumers called for a robust price control strategy that prioritises consistent monitoring of all markets, stricter penalties for repeat violators and enforcement mechanisms capable of translating official policies into real relief for households.

The latest weekly rate list illustrates the widening gap between official and prevailing market prices.

Live chicken prices rose by Rs10 per kilogramme on the official list to Rs339-353, yet the commodity was largely unavailable at those rates in many neighbourhoods. Chicken meat increased by Rs14 to an official price of Rs511 per kg, while consumers paid between Rs560 and Rs630. Boneless chicken hovered around Rs950 per kg in several areas.

Vegetable markets showed a similar pattern. Soft-skin new potatoes were officially fixed at Rs18-20 per kg but sold at Rs30-40.

Tomatoes remained officially priced at Rs60-65 per kg, though retail prices ranged from Rs120 to Rs160. Onions were raised by Rs8 per kg to Rs55-60 but continued to sell between Rs80 and Rs120.

Chinese lemons remained listed at Rs60-65 per kg but sold between Rs120 and Rs250.

Peas remained officially priced at Rs38-40 per kg but sold between Rs80 and Rs100. Beetroot retailed between Rs200 and Rs400 per kg. Coriander was available at around Rs50 per bundle, while turnips, fixed at Rs23-25 per kg, sold at Rs60-80. Mustard leaves, fixed at Rs28-30 per kg, retailed at about Rs60.

Fruit markets also displayed significant disparities. Apples were officially priced between Rs250 and Rs420 per kg but sold at Rs350-700 depending on quality. A-category bananas were fixed at Rs215-240 per dozen yet sold at Rs300-350, while the B-category, fixed at Rs125-140 per dozen, retailed between Rs200 and Rs250.

Kandhari pomegranates were fixed at Rs601-630 per kg but sold between Rs800 and Rs1,000. Melons, reduced to Rs100-135 officially, retailed at Rs200-250 per kg. Strawberries, priced at Rs247-260 per kg on the official list, sold at Rs300-350, while grapes, officially fixed between Rs420 and Rs600 per kg, retailed between Rs600 and Rs1,000.