LAHORE: Unexpectedly, high consumer count was witnessed at the Sunday Bazaars of the city and prices of vegetables and fruits decreased but it was yet another Sunday when customers could not get sugar due to its shortage. However, the price of chicken meat increased as compare to last week.
The chicken was sold for Rs 135 per kg thus an increase of Rs 7 per kg was seen. Last week, chicken meat was sold for Rs 128 per kg. The sales of chicken, vegetables and fruits remained around 30 percent higher than usual Sundays.
The hawkers and vendors said that number of customers stayed high as it was the first Sunday of the month. “I usually sell around 35-40 kg chicken in normal days but this Sunday the sales crossed 50 Kg,” said Abdullah at Green Town Sunday Bazaar. He said though the prices of chicken were higher as compared to previous weeks but still the customers bought it. “People have consumed the meat they stored during Eidul Azha and now people are buying chicken, beef and mutton.” said a butcher, Sher Ali at Model Town bazaar.
He said beef and mutton sales have started improving. “Majority of people get salaries at the month’s start, thus the number of customers at Sunday Bazaars increases,” said a vegetable seller, Hafiz Jalil adding that he sells around 40 kg onions in normal days but this Sunday he sold around 60-65 kg.
Another vegetable seller, Abdul Rehman said the vegetable prices have declined as compared to previous weeks and it has also played an important role for high sales. “The onion price had escalated to Rs 80 per kg during last three weeks but now it has come down to Rs 55-58 per kg and it attracted people,” he said adding that potatoes’ price during Eid days were Rs 40-50 per kg but now it has came down to Rs 20-25 per kg.
The prices of bananas, apples, oranges and guavas also came down by Rs 5-10 kg per dozen. The customers said though the prices of fruits have come down but still the vendors are selling substandard fruits.
“It is hard to differentiate between A and B grade fruits and at this stage the administration should play its role,” said a customer Mohsin Khan. Another customer, Zubair Mughal said he purchased double than routine days. “The prices are down and it is better to purchase maximum amount. The prices can rise anytime, who knows,” he said adding there was no sugar in Sunday Bazaars. “I tried to purchase sugar from the government stalls but there was no sugar,” he lamented.
