In Lahore, it is said to be common practice for traders to stockpile potatoes and onions before the holy month of Ramazan, to create an artificial shortage of the commodities. The government is now busy organising makeshift Ramazan Bazaars across the province to ensure sale of produce at controlled rates.
Inflated prices have been observed in different weekly makeshift markets of the city; potato prices gained by Rs 6 per kg, soft skin fixed at Rs 18 to 21 per kg, hard skin on Rs 13 to 15 per kg, while it sold at Rs 21 per kg.
Onion price was reduced by Rs one per kg, fixed at Rs 17 to 20 per kg, while lower quality was sold at Rs 20 per kg, A-quality at Rs 25 to 30 per kg. The price of tomato declined by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 8 to 10 per kg. Local garlic increased by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 110 to 120 per kg, Quetta garlic at Rs 135 to 145 per kg, both sold at Rs 140 to 150 per kg.
The price of brinjal increased by Rs 10 per kg, fixed at Rs 25 to 28 per kg, not sold in makeshift markets. Cucumber reduced by Rs 7 per kg, fixed at Rs 6 to 8 per kg, local cucumber increased by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs 23 to 25 per kg, both were sold at Rs25 per kg. Bitter gourd gained by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 25 to 30 per kg. Spinach price was increased by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 9 to 11 per kg, not sold at makeshift markets, while outside sold at Rs 40 per kg.
Local lemons increased by Rs 20 per kg, fixed at Rs 190 to 202 per kg, and B-grade fixed at Rs125 to 132 per kg, sold at Rs 190 per kg. Zucchini long increased by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs17 to 19 per kg, not sold there. Round zucchini at Rs11 to 13 per kg, local zucchini white and black was fixed at Rs 21 per kg, sold at Rs 20 per kg.
The price of pumpkin was fixed at Rs13 to 15 per kg with a reduction of Rs3 per kg.
Ladyfinger declined by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs40 to 50 per kg.
Local green chilli was fixed at Rs35 to 40 per kg, and farm at Rs18 to 20 per kg, while both were sold at Rs40 per kg. Capsicum declined by Rs one per kg, fixed at Rs15 to 17 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. The price of different varieties of apples was fixed at Rs65 to 235 per kg, sold at Rs80 to 250 per kg.
The price of watermelon was fixed at Rs10 to 12 per kg, small size was sold at Rs12 per kg, while big size at Rs15 per kg. The price of banana was fixed at Rs50 to 56 per dozen, sold at Rs150 to 200 per dozen. The price of melon was fixed at Rs20 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs30 to 50 per kg, while in open market sold at Rs 15 to 30 per kg. Papaya was fixed at Rs70 to 75 per kg, not sold there.
Peach price was fixed at Rs95 to 145 per kg, while lower quality was sold at Rs130 to 140 per kg.
The price of different variety of mangoes was fixed at Rs 60 to 110 per kg while sold at Rs 90 to 120 per kg.
