Notified price reductions prove fruitless
“Consumers in the city continued to face high food prices during past week as retail rates of most essential perishables remained substantially above government-notified prices despite reduction in the…”
The persistent gap between notified and retail prices was particularly evident in vegetables, fruits and poultry, with consumers paying considerably more than the rates listed by authorities. In the poultry market, the official price of live chicken was reduced by Rs15 per kg to Rs304-318, while the rate of chicken meat was cut by Rs22 to Rs461 per kg.
However, chicken meat was retailed at Rs520-570 per kg across the city. Several vegetables recorded reductions in their official rates, while others became more expensive. The official price of sugar-free potatoes was reduced by Rs2 per kg to Rs27-30, but the vegetable was sold at Rs50-70 per kg.
Tomatoes recorded a Rs5 reduction in the official rate to Rs130-180 per kg, yet were retailed at Rs250-300 per kg. The notified price of onions was reduced by Rs45 per kg to Rs165-175, while retailers charged Rs200-220 per kg.
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Local garlic remained unchanged at Rs157-165 per kg but was sold at Rs200-250 per kg. Thai ginger declined by Rs5 to Rs315-330 per kg, while the Chinese variety remained unchanged at Rs305-320. Both varieties, however, were retailed at Rs400-450 per kg.
Farm cucumbers became cheaper by Rs10 in the official rate list to Rs85-90 per kg, but were sold at Rs120-150. Spinach price was reduced by Rs10 to Rs57-60 per kg but remained available to consumers at Rs100-120.
Lemon prices moved sharply upwards. The local variety rose by Rs45 to Rs180-190 per kg but was sold at Rs300-350, while Chinese lemons rose by Rs25 to Rs105-110 and retailed at Rs180-200. Pumpkin fell by Rs10 to Rs142-150 per kg but was sold at Rs180-200.
Ladyfinger prices were reduced by Rs30 to Rs172-180, although retailers charged Rs200-250. Green chillies rose by Rs20 to Rs115-120 per kg but retailed at Rs180-220. Capsicum, despite a Rs10 reduction to Rs247-260, was sold at Rs320-380.
Fruit prices also remained elevated. Apple prices increased by Rs85 per kg, with the official rate fixed at Rs200-395, while the fruit was sold at Rs300-500. A-grade bananas were officially priced at Rs170-190 per dozen but retailed at Rs250-300.
Dates showed one of the widest differences between official and retail prices. Although the notified rate ranged from Rs310 to Rs435, retailers charged Rs800-2,400 per kg. Local pomegranate increased by Rs20 to Rs305-320 but was sold at Rs450-600, while the Kandhari variety was officially priced at Rs315-330 and retailed at Rs600-800.
Gola grapes were fixed at Rs272-285 per kg and retailed at Rs400-500, while the Sundarkhani variety was officially priced at Rs567-595 but sold at Rs700-800. Persimmon was fixed at Rs181-190 per kg and retailed at Rs300-350.
The official reductions in prices of several commodities had yet to translate into comparable relief for consumers.
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