Vegetable, fruit prices maintain upward trend
An upward trend in the prices of seasonal fruits and vegetables was recorded this week, accompanied by widespread overcharging.
Vendors were seen selling perishable goods at prices 50 to 100 per cent higher than official rates, even while displaying the mandated rate lists. Customers who questioned the discrepancies were often told to shop elsewhere if they wanted official prices. Vendors claimed that the rate lists served only a cosmetic purpose, citing the higher prices at wholesale markets as justification for their overcharging.
For the first time in two and a half months, the official price of live chicken was reduced by Rs27 per kilogram, set between Rs357 and Rs371. However, vendors did not sell live chickens; instead, chicken meat was sold at Rs500 to Rs600 per kilogram, and boneless chicken at Rs950 to Rs1,000 per kg.
The official price of soft-skin A-grade potatoes remained unchanged at Rs45 to Rs50 but it was sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kilogram. Mixed varieties were sold at Rs50 to Rs70 per kilogram.
A-grade onions increased by Rs5 per kilogram to Rs45 to Rs50 per kilogram but were sold at Rs80 to Rs100 per kg. Tomato prices for A-grade quality rose by Rs10 per kilogram, fixed at Rs45 to Rs50 but sold at Rs120 to Rs130 per kilogram.
Farm cucumbers rose by Rs5 per kilogram to Rs47 to Rs50 per kilogram but sold at Rs80 to Rs100, while local cucumbers were sold at Rs120 to Rs130 per kilogram. Spinach prices fell by Rs5 per kilogram, officially set at Rs18 to Rs25 but sold at Rs50 to Rs60 per kilogram.
Chinese lemons increased by Rs60 per kg to Rs190 to Rs200 per kilogram but were sold at Rs400. Green chilies rose by Rs10 per kilogram to Rs105 to Rs110 but sold at Rs180 to Rs200 per kilogram.
Capsicum prices increased by Rs10 per kilogram to Rs47 to Rs50 per kilogram but were sold at Rs100 to Rs140 per kilogram. Cauliflower prices rose by Rs20 per kilogram to Rs57 to Rs60 but sold at Rs100 to Rs140 per kilogram, while cabbage prices remained at Rs28 to Rs30 but was sold at Rs100 to Rs150 per kilogram.
The price of A-grade bananas fell by Rs10 per dozen to Rs215 to Rs240 but were sold at Rs350 to Rs400 per dozen.
Guava prices increased by Rs5 to Rs115 to Rs150 per kilogram but were sold at Rs200 to Rs250. Dates were priced at Rs430 to Rs460 per kilogram but sold at Rs900 to Rs2,000.
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