Weekly makeshift markets

Prices decline; overcharging prevails

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE :Prices of seasonal vegetables finally witnessed a declining trend this week after a long but the overcharging, sale of B-grade items on A-grade prices remained exposing the government failure to pass on this declining trend benefits to the consumer.

Almost all seasonal vegetables, except few rates came down. The price of pea witnessed almost 100 percent correction and coming down to Rs66 per kg, which is still more than double of the last year price of Rs30 per kg. Year on year price difference reflects the increase in cost of production and increasing food inflation which is making the lower strata the more vulnerable than before.

So is the case with potato and onion as the potato price remained 200 percent higher than the last year when the rates were Rs10 per kg on February 10, and onion price was more than 100 percent of the corresponding period last year price of Rs20 per kg. Last year brinjal was only Rs40 per kg which is now touching to Rs100 level.

The policy-makers and government are still unable to control this inflation phenomenon which is hurting the middle income and salaried classes adversely. This week again, the rates of number of vegetables and fruits were not issued for makeshift markets. This has been giving a space to the sellers for overcharging while the district administration is slumbering on the matter.

The price of potato soft skin new A-grade was reduced by Rs4 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, and potato B-grade by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs26 to 28 per kg, mixed sold at Rs30 per kg. The price of onion A-grade was reduced by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs39 to 42 per kg, not available, B-grade at Rs36 to 39 per kg, mixed sold at Rs42 per kg. The price of tomato A-grade remained unchanged at Rs47 to 51 per kg, B-grade at Rs43 to 47 per kg, mixed sold at Rs51 per kg.

The price of garlic local was not issued while garlic Chinese was fixed at Rs305 to 322 per kg, sold at Rs360 per kg. Ginger Chinese was reduced by Rs14 per kg, fixed at Rs320 to 336 per kg, not sold, ginger Thai was gained by Rs27 per kg, fixed at Rs326 to 352 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg. Brinjal price gained by Rs6 per kg, fixed at Rs96 to 98 per kg but was not available there. Cucumber farm was gained by Rs16 per kg, fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg, sold at Rs70 per kg. Bitter gourd was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs125 to 130 per kg, not sold. Spinach local was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, and spinach farm by Rs8 per kg, fixed at Rs20 to 22 per kg, both sold at Rs30 per kg. Zucchini long was fixed at 60 to 63 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg, zucchini round was fixed at Rs70 to 73 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg.

The price of lemon Chinese was fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg. Cauliflower was fixed at Rs33 to 35 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg, and cabbage fixed at Rs52 to 55 per kg, not sold on pricing issue. Pumpkin was reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs82 to 85 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg.

Lady-finger was increased by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs125 to 130 per kg, not sold. Arum was increased by Rs10 per kg fixed at Rs90 to 93 per kg, not sold. Green chili price was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs155 to 160 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg.

Capsicum price was reduced by Rs18 per kg, fixed at 135 to 140 per kg, mixed variety sold at Rs160 per kg.

Carrot local was reduced by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs30 to 32 per kg, sold at Rs35 per kg. Coriander was fixed at Rs40 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg. Beans were sold at Rs200 per kg while no rates were issued. Methi was reduced by Rs11 per kg, fixed at Rs39 to 41 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Turnip was declined by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Mustard leaves fixed at Rs24 to 26 per kg. Radish increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs13 to 14 per kg, sold at Rs15 to 20 per kg. Beetroot was fixed at Rs40 to 50 per kg.

The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs64 to 155 per kg, B-grade sold at Rs80 to 145 per kg and A-grade was sold at Rs180 to 200 per kg.

The price of Banana A-category gained by Rs2 per dozen fixed at Rs118 to 125 per dozen, not available and B-category fixed at Rs70 to 75 per dozen, sold at Rs80 to 100 per dozen while A-grade was not available there. Papaya was fixed at Rs115 to 120 per kg, not sold there on pricing issue.