Profiteers charge higher rates amid lockdown

KARACHI: Profiteers have increased the prices of fruits and vegetables by almost 30 percent amid the lockdown, despite a decline in the demand of these commodities, concerned residents said on Monday, first day of the lockdown.

They were concerned that the retail shopkeepers of vegetables were charging higher rates compared with the prices a couple of days ago. They charged nearly 30 percent higher prices on all vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes and onions.

Waheed Ahmed, patron-in-chief Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Importers, Exporters and Merchants Association (PFVA) told The News that government should take strict action against such profiteers who were taking benefit of the lockdown amid threat of the novel coronavirus.

“Prices of tomato, potato and onion were down, so people should not pay higher rates,” he said, however he added that prices of few vegetables might be high due to slow supply.

Since exports have stopped and restaurants and marriage halls were closed amid the lockdown, demand of fruits and vegetables has fallen, he said, adding “there was no disruption in supply”.

Thus, Ahmed said, prices should come down naturally. “People should not take illegal benefit and the government should set example by taking strict action against such people,” he suggested.

Along with fruits and vegetables, rates of sugar and other eatables have also been increased by around five percent in the retail market during the last few days. Farid Qureshi, general secretary, Karachi Retail Grocers Association said that rates increased by four to five percent in last few days. Supply continued till Saturday, he informed, however sales persons of several mills, including tea and detergent, said they were out of stock.

He also said that prices started increasing from the day the Sindh government announced closure of government offices, and from then onwards they kept creeping up gradually. Explaining the price hike on Monday (the first day of a more comprehensive lockdown), Qureshi said it could also be because the Jodia Bazaar was closed on account of March 23. The bazaar would open on Tuesday, and that should make the “supply-side situation clearer,” he added.

Sugar was being sold at Rs80 in the wholesale market, up from Rs75/kg a few days ago. “Retail price will also increase, as demand and supply is affected.” According to Qureshi, since commodities and a majority of other household items came out of Karachi, any disruption in their supply would affect prices in the city.

He complained about police harassing some customers in the morning. These customers purchase household items on a daily basis, he said, adding that they were not allowed to make purchases and were sent away.