Highest ever inflation recorded in 2023

LAHORE : The year 2023 ended with the same woes of the consumers which existed in the beginning of the year as the government officials put the public issues of inflation and overcharging on the back burner.

The general public witnessed highest ever inflation of over 40 percent recorded in the year whereas non-implementation of the official rates of perishables and grains further added to the consumer prices. Thus, the consumers faced almost 60 to 70 percent increase in the prices during the year. 

There is no reduction in the prices and inflation in sight in the near future due to increase in the production, transportation and agriculture labour costs. The issue of overcharging and price list violation has become chronic while there is no one to nab it. Mainly increasing trend in the price of essential perishable items was recorded even on the last day of the year, besides the open violations of the rate lists.

The price of chicken increased by Rs31 per kg, fixed at Rs338-351 per kg, sold at Rs400-420 per kg, and chicken meat by Rs46 per kg, fixed at Rs509 per kg, and sold at Rs550-1,100 per kg. \The price of potato soft skin new A-grade was reduced by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs50-55 per kg, B-grade gained by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs46-50 per kg, and C-grade gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs42-45 per kilogram, mixed sold at Rs60-80 per kg. The price of onion A-grade further gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs167-175 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs144-150 per kg, sold at Rs160-180 per kg, and C-grade fixed at Rs125-130 per kg, sold at Rs150 per kg.

The price of tomato A-grade increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs95-100 per kg, sold at Rs160-200 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs75-80 per kg, and C-grade fixed at Rs70-75 per kg, both B&C mixed sold at Rs100-120 per kg. The price of garlic local was unchanged at Rs400-415 per kg, sold at Rs500 per kg, and Garlic China reduced by Rs50 per kg, fixed at Rs520-540 per kg, sold at Rs700 per kg.

The price of Ginger Thai further increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs390-405 per kg, sold at Rs500 per kg, Garlic Indonesia unchanged at Rs290-300 per kg, sold Rs400 per kg.

Cucumber Farm further reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs33-35 per kg, sold at Rs100-120 per kg. Brinjal price increased by Rs12 per kg, fixed at Rs57-60 per kg, sold at Rs100-140 per kg.

Bitter gourd price increased by Rs90 per kg, fixed at Rs210-220 per kg, sold at Rs500 per kg.

The price of spinach farm reduced by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs33-35, sold at Rs50-60 per kg, spinach local unchanged at Rs57-60 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg. Zucchini farm reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs70-75 per kg, sold at Rs120-140 per kg, and Zucchini long fixed at Rs70-75 per kg, sold at Rs120-140 per kg. The price of lemon China unchanged at Rs52-55 per kg, sold at Rs100-160 per kg.

Carrot Chinese reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs120-125 per kg, sold at Rs250 per kg, carrot local gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs47-50 per kg, sold at Rs60-80 per kg. Turnip price increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs50-52 per kg, sold at Rs60-100 per kg. Fenugreek (Methi) reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs85-90 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg. Pea price increased by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs145-150 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg.