Delay in import hikes onion rates

LAHORE
DELAY in the import of onion from India has further increased its rates from Rs60 to Rs70 per kg in the open markets while Rs44 per kg in the weekly makeshift markets in the beginning of the month of May in the province.
Punjab in the month of April and May depends on onion supply from Sindh Province and India to meet the local requirement as harvesting of domestic crop starts in the mid of May. Thus, delay in import of onion from India has continuously been pushing its rates upwards in the local markets.
On the other side, rotten, lowest quality onion from Sindh province is being supplied to the Punjab as hoarders are storing it to make money during the month of Ramazan when its consumption increases manifolds.
Similarly, the price of tomato has suddenly increased more than 300 times in just three days reaching the level of Rs60 to Rs80 per kg in open market. Three days ago, tomato was being sold at Rs15 to 20 per kg in streets of Lahore by vendors. However, suddenly its price also quickly jumped up on Sunday. In makeshift markets of the city, tomato was not available while limited quantity was also seen in the open markets. It is expected that tomato price will again come down in a couple of days but there are least chances in decline of onion rates even one week time. The price of onion will come down when the domestic production of Punjab will start. This will also improve quality of available onion in the market as well.
This week the price of potato was stable at Rs10 to 12 per kg. The price of onion was further increased by Rs5 per kg fixed at Rs40 to 44 per kg, while it was missing in majority of makeshift markets and if available, rotten onion was sold at Rs44 per kg. The price of tomato was gained by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 32 per kg but it was not sold anywhere in the Sunday bazaars while in open market it was sold at Rs60 to 80 per kg. Garlic China fixed at Rs120 to 130 per kg, garlic local at Rs70 to 80 per kg, while sold at Rs120 per kg. Ginger China was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs150 to 160 per kg, ginger Singapore at Rs118 to 122 per kg, ginger India at Rs90 to 96 per kg, while it sold at Rs160 per kg.
Spinach was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs20 to per kg, but sold at Rs30 per kg. Brinjal was increased by Rs6 per kg, fixed at Rs26 to 29 per kg and sold at Rs30 per kg. Cucumber local was fixed at Rs29 to 31 per kg, cucumber farm black at Rs20 to 25 per kg, and cucumber farm white at Rs10 to 16 per kg, while sold at Rs30 per kg and local cucumber was not available in the markets. Bitter gourd local was fixed at Rs40 to 47 per kg, and farm at Rs28 to 31 per kg but sold at Rs50 per kg.
Zucchini was fixed at Rs14 to 16 per kg, Zucchini round farm gained by Rs6 per kg, fixed at Rs25 to 29 per kg, and Zucchini local black at Rs80 to 90 per kg, white at Rs60 to 64 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg.
Peas gained by Rs12 per kg, fixed at Rs82 per kg and sold at Rs100 per kg. Cauliflower was gained by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs22 to 26 per kg, but not sold there while outside in makeshift markets sold at Rs50 per kg, cabbage was fixed at Rs14 to 16 per kg and sold at Rs30 per kg. Green chilli farm was fixed at Rs30 to 36 per kg, local at Rs60 to 70 per kg and both were sold at Rs80 per kg.
Capsicum was reduced by Rs4 per kg, fixed at Rs36 to 39 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Pumpkin was declined by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs30 to 39 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Luffa price was increased by Rs6 per kg, fixed at Rs60 to 66 per kg, sold at Rs70 per kg. Ladyfinger was also gone down by Rs12 per kg, fixed at Rs82 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Arum price was stable at Rs80 per kg and sold at Rs100 per kg. The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs60 to 140 per kg, while sold at Rs100 to 140 per kg. Melon local was fixed at Rs50 to 60 per kg, Melon Chinese White at Rs40 to 50 per kg, and Melon Chinese yellow at Rs30 to 37 per kg, while sold at Rs50 to 60 per kg.