Vegetable, fruit prices shoot up ahead of Ramazan

LAHORE: The prices of perishable items registered upward trend one month ahead of the holy month of Ramazan while the vendors are anticipating further increase in the rates due to hoarding started by hoarders of different items.

This week in Sunday bazaars the rates of almost all vegetables and fruits were increased besides the overcharging as the vendors openly fleeced the buyers in the absence of writ of the government to control the price hike. The adviser to chief minister and convener of price control committee, Chaudhry Akram, visited different makeshift markets but his visits had no positive impact as these seemed only for “photo sessions.” Overcharging and sale of substandard items continue in the markets. The adviser pays visits to different markets of the City on Sunday along with official media and his all visits give not benefit to the consumers. In Sunday bazaars, this week again a number of vegetables were not sold on account of wrong pricing issue. Rotten vegetables and fruits were sold at A-grade rates while A-grade items were not sold in any of the makeshift markets of the City.

The official price of potato was stable at Rs10 to Rs12 per kg while in the open market it was still selling at Rs20 per kg.

Onion rate was further raised by Rs 12 per kg and fixed at Rs30 to Rs32 per kg but mixed quality onion was sold at Rs32 per kg. Price of tomato was raised by Rs 25 per kg and fixed at Rs70 to Rs75 per kg but mixed quality tomato was sold at Rs75 per kg.

Garlic, local, rate was unchanged at Rs107 to Rs112 per kg but sold at Rs 140 per kg. Garlic, Chinese, rate was increased by Rs2 per kg and fixed at Rs174 to Rs182 per kg but sold at Rs200 per kg. Ginger, Chinese, rate was increased by Rs12 per kg and fixed at Rs181 to Rs189 per kg but it was not sold there. Garlic, Thai, price was fixed at Rs151 to Rs158 per kg but sold at Rs200 per kg. Brinjal rate was stable at Rs 39 to Rs41 per kg and mixed quality brinjal was sold at Rs 40 per kg. Cucumber, farm, rate was unchanged at Rs34 to Rs36 per kg but sold at Rs 40 per kg.

Mongray rate was fixed at Rs 62 per kg but not sold at Rs 80 to Rs100 per kg. Green pea rate was fixed at Rs200 per kg but sold at Rs 300 per kg. Bitter gourd rate was fixed at Rs121 to Rs128 per kg but sold at Rs140 per kg. Spinach rate was increased by Re 1 per kg and fixed at Rs16 to Rs18 kg but sold at Rs20 to Rs25 per kg.

Lemon, Chinese, rate was increased by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs73 to Rs77 per kg but sold at Rs100 per kg. Lemon, local, rate was raised by Rs26 per kg and fixed at Rs151 to Rs158 per kg but sold at Rs 200 per kg.

Methi price was increased by Rs7 per kg and fixed at Rs 34 to Rs36 per kg but sold at Rs60 per kg. Zucchini, long, rate was stable at Rs44 to Rs46 per kg but sold at Rs 50 per kg. Zucchini, farm, rate was fixed at Rs57 to Rs60 per kg and local variety rate at Rs151 to Rs158 per kg but not sold there.

Cauliflower rate was stable at Rs34 to Rs36 per kg but sold at Rs40 per kg. Cabbage rate was Rs24 to Rs26 per kg but sold at Rs30 per kg. Pumpkin rate was fixed at Rs 49 to Rs51 per kg but sold at Rs60 per kg. Pumpkin, long, was sold at Rs80 per kg.

Turnip rate was increased by Rs10 per kg and fixed at Rs29 to Rs31 per kg. Green chili price was reduced by Rs36 per kg and fixed at Rs86 to Rs92 per kg but sold at Rs160 per kg. Capsicum rate was cut by Rs17 per kg and fixed at Rs71 to Rs75 per kg but sold at Rs80 per kg. Pea rate was increased by Rs3 per kg and fixed at Rs47 to Rs49 per kg but lower quality pea was sold at Rs 50 per kg.

Radish rate was reduced by Rs 4 per kg and fixed Rs12 to Rs14 per kg but sold at Rs30 per kg. Carrot rate was increased by Rs7 per kg and fixed at Rs26 per kg but not sold there on wrong pricing issue. Mustard leave rate was fixed at Rs24 per kg but was not available there. Coriander rate was increased by Rs30 per kg and fixed at Rs70 per kg but sold at Rs120 per kg. Beans were sold at Rs 200 per kg.

Luffa rate was increased by Rs 5 per kg and fixed at Rs92 to Rs97 per kg but not sold on pricing issue. Lady finger rate was increased by Rs 16 per kg and fixed at Rs151 to Rs158 per kg but sold at Rs160 per kg.

The prices of different varieties of apples were fixed at Rs 68 to Rs148 per kg but lower quality apples were sold at Rs100 to Rs180 per kg. Banana, A- category, rate was fixed at Rs78 to Rs82 per dozen and B-category at Rs54 to Rs56 per dozen while B-category banana was sold at Rs80 per dozen. Musmai rate was fixed at Rs136 to Rs142 per dozen but not sold on pricing issue.

The rates of different varieties of citrus fruits were fixed at Rs88 to Rs152 per dozen but sold at Rs160 to Rs250 per dozen.

Guava rate was stable at Rs57 to Rs60 per kg. Grape fruit rate was fixed at Rs23 per piece but lower quality grape fruit was sold at Rs 25 per piece.

Papaya rate was fixed at Rs88 to Rs92 per kg but sold at Rs100 per kg. Coconut, whole, rate was fixed at Rs136 to Rs142 per piece and sold at Rs 150 per piece. Strawberry, special quality, rate was fixed at Rs97 to Rs102 per kg but sold at Rs120 per kg and B-quality rate was fixed at Rs 49 to Rs51 per kg but sold at Rs100 per kg.