Onion, tomato prices going up ahead of Eid

LAHORE : Upward trend continued in the prices of onion, garlic, tomato, green chili and ginger well before the Eidul Azha as these items increase manifolds during the Eid days but the government has not made a plan to control the rates.

Market sources said that onion was now being stored and its prices went up during the last two weeks. The price of onion was increased almost on every alternative day during the fortnight while tomato rate was also increased due to supply side issues. The local tomato production has now ended, therefore, tomato supply is coming from other provinces, sources said. However, they believed that the prices of onion, garlic, ginger and green chili could be controlled with timely intervention. But it seems that the government is not interested in price control.

Furthermore, an increasing trend in the rates of other vegetables and fruits also persisted besides massive overcharging on them. Similarly, no improvement has come in the Sahulat bazaars where only fruits are being sold at even higher than the official and market rates. Roadside vendors are selling fruits at lower price than those at Sahulat bazaars.

This week, the price of live chicken was reduced by Rs38 per kg and fixed at Rs168 per kg but it was sold at Rs180 per kg. Chicken meat rate was decreased by Rs55 per kg and fixed at Rs244 per kg but was sold at Rs250 to Rs300 per kg.

The price of potato, soft skin new A-grade, was further increased by Rs2 per kg and fixed at Rs62 to Rs65 per kg, but sold at Rs80 per kg. B-Grade potato rate was fixed at Rs56 to 59 per kg but sold at Rs70 per kg. Potato, sugar free A-grade, price was fixed at Rs40 to Rs42 per kg but sold at Rs50 to Rs60 per kg. Potato, white, rate was fixed Rs26 to Rs28 per kg but sold at Rs40 to Rs50 per kg.

The price of onion, A-grade, was further increased by Rs4 per kg and fixed at Rs44 to Rs47 per kg but sold at Rs55 to Rs65 per kg. B-grade onion rate was fixed at Rs38 to Rs40 per kg but it was sold at Rs45 to Rs50 per kg, and C-grade at Rs34 to Rs36 per kg but sold at Rs40 to Rs45 per kg.

The price of tomato, A-grade, was further increased by Rs3 per kg and fixed at Rs62 to Rs65 per kg but sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg. B-grade tomato rate was fixed at Rs56 to Rs58 per kg and C-grade at Rs52 to Rs54 per kg, but B and C quality mixed was sold at Rs60 to Rs70 per kg.

The price of garlic, locally, was raised by Rs6 per kg and fixed at Rs133 to Rs138 per kg, but it was sold at Rs220 to Rs260 per kg. Garlic, Chinese, price was not fixed and it was sold at Rs220 to Rs260 per kg. Garlic, Harnai, price was increased by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs185 to Rs190 per kg but sold at Rs220 to Rs240 per kg.

Ginger, Chinese, price was increased by Rs90 per kg and fixed at Rs500 to Rs510 per kg but sold at Rs600 per kg. The price of cucumbers at the farm and local were fixed at Rs40 to Rs42 and at Rs50 to Rs52 per kg, respectively, but both sold at Rs60 to Rs70 per kg.

Brinjal price was increased by Rs5 per kg and fixed at Rs60 to Rs62 per kg but sold at Rs 70 to Rs80 per kg. Bitter gourd price was reduced by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs65 to Rs67 per kg but sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg.

Spinach rate was cut by Rs 8 per kg and fixed at Rs22 to Rs24 per kg but sold at Rs40 to Rs50 per kg. Zucchini, white, rate was reduced by Rs5 per kg and fixed at Rs50 to Rs52 per kg but sold at Rs80 per kg. Zucchini, local black, price was increased by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs 90 to Rs93 per kg but sold at Rs120 to Rs140 per kg. The price of lemon, local, was reduced by Rs10 per kg and fixed at Rs110 to Rs115 per kg but sold at Rs120 to Rs140 per kg. Pumpkin rate was unchanged at Rs80 to Rs83 per kg but sold at Rs100 per kg. Lady finger price was reduced by Rs15 per kg and fixed at Rs70 to Rs73 per kg but it was sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg.

Luffa rate was increased by Rs10 per kg and fixed at Rs50 to Rs52 per kg but sold at Rs 60 to Rs70 per kg. Green chili, A-grade, rate was increased by Rs42 at Rs125 to Rs130 per kg but it was sold at Rs160 to Rs200 per kg.