LAHORE – The trend of decreasing vegetable prices at the city’s Sunday Bazaars remained in force a third week bringing relief to both consumers and shopkeepers. However, fruit prices remained high, making fruit purchases few and far between.
For the third consecutive Sunday the prices of vegetables decreased while the prices of fruits marginally increasing. Chicken prices also decreased by Rs 37 per kg compared with last weeks. Chicken meat was sold for Rs 170 per kg compared to a price of Rs 207 per kg last week. However, sugar price increased Rs 3-4 per kilogram. Onion, garlic and ginger prices significantly declined while tomato prices remained stable.
Shopkeepers perspective: The shopkeepers said a good vegetable produce in farms and control over exports resulted in the decline in vegetable prices in the local market. They said if vegetable exports were allowed then prices were likely to go up. Shopkeepers also said sales increased sharply due to the decrease in vegetable prices. “For the last three weeks, my sales have been double compared to routine days. Lower prices are the cause,” said a vendor Mukhtar Ali, adding that an increase in the volume of sales increases our profits.
Customer perspective: Customers welcomed the decrease in vegetable prices but showed dissatisfaction over high fruit prices. “I agree that the prices of vegetables are decreasing but what about fruits prices?” said housewife Asmara Ayub. adding that it has become impossible to buy fruits and the government should do something about it. “Now eating fruits like apples, oranges and even guava has become luxury for people,” commented buyer Wajahat Hussain.
Trends: In price trends, the price of onion reduced by Rs 4 per kg and was fixed at Rs 12-14 per kg. The price of potatoes and tomatoes remained stable and it was sold for Rs 12-14 per kg and Rs 34-38 per Kg. Desi spinach price fixed at Rs 9 to 11 per kg and farm spinach fixed at Rs 7 to 9 per kg.
Cucumber was sold for Rs 20 to 27 per kg. Cabbage price decreased and was sold for Rs 9 to 12 per kg and Cauliflower price fixed at Rs 10 to 15 per kg. Bitter gourd price was fixed at Rs 93 to 97 per kg. Bananas were sold for Rs 43-47 per dozen.
