Widespread rains and flashfloods caused a drastic impact on the supply of fruits and vegetables in the provincial capital. The short supply of these commodities has caused the escalation of their prices.
Bazaars established in different towns by the District Government are marketing vegetables with prices touching their seasonal highs.
On Sunday, during a brief survey of various Sunday bazaars established in city, Pakistan Today observed that the supplies remained thin and in spite of their high prices, the quality of the available commodities was extremely poor.
Vegetable vendors said that the quality of vegetables was affected by the rains and flood waters which inundated the fields, which in turn badly affected the remaining vegetables (the ones not destroyed by the floods).
Similarly, tomato supply was also affected from India while onion supply was completely suspended due to its shortage there. Following the thin supplies of tomato from India, its rates were also increased in Pakistan while the suspension of the Indian onion also pushed the local onion rates upwards.
The new price of potatoes was fixed at Rs 34 to 40 per kg while sugar-free potatoes were set between Rs 26 to 27 with an increase of Rs 2 per kg. Although they are stored at Rs 15 to 16 per kg, they are being sold at Rs 40.
Onion prices were fixed at Rs 34 to 39 per kg with a reduction of Rs 12 per kg as locally produced onion supplies were improved. The price of tomatoes was fixed at Rs 54 to 56 per kg but sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Garlic (China) was fixed at Rs 75 to 80 per kg and garlic (desi) at Rs 78 to 85 per kg but sold at Rs 120 per kg. Ginger (China) was fixed at Rs 145 to 150 per kg with an increase of Rs 10 per kg and Ginger (Burma) was fixed at Rs 70 to 75 per kg but sold at Rs 150 per kg. The price of spinach was increased by Rs 11 per kg and fixed at Rs 20 to 25 per kg but sold at Rs 30 per kg. Brinjal’s price was rose by Rs 31 per kg and reached Rs 40 to 45 per kg but it was sold at Rs 50 per kg. Cabbage was increased by Rs 10 per kg and fixed at Rs 50 to 60 per kg and cauliflower gained Rs 24 to 28 per kg reached at Rs 80 to 90 per kg.
A hundred percent increase in the rates of Bitergourd was registered and its new price reached Rs 90 to 100 per kg. Tinday prices were increased by Rs 30 per kg reached at Rs 70 to 80 per kg while they were sold at Rs 100 per kg. The new price of pumpkins was set at Rs 40 to 45 per kg but they were sold at Rs 50 per kg.
Capsicums were sold at Rs 80 to 100 per kg against their official price of Rs 65 to 70 per kg while ladyfinger gained Rs 10 per kg and its price was fixed at Rs 60 to 70 per kg but it was sold at Rs 80 per kg.
Rates of different varieties of apples were fixed at Rs 40 to 80 per kg. B-grade apples were sold at Rs 60 to 80 and Rs 70 to 80 per kg in makeshift bazaars and in the open markets, respectively.
A-grade bananas were fixed at Rs 45 to 50 per dozen but sold at Rs 60 per dozen. Peach (special) was fixed at Rs 90 to 100 per kg and peach (B-grade) at Rs 55 to 60 per kg but it was sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Pomegranate (desi) was fixed at Rs 60 to 80 per kg and sold at Rs 100 per kg. Mangoes of different varieties were fixed at Rs 35 to 90 per kg while the lower quality was sold at Rs 70 to 90 per kg. Peer was fixed at Rs 25 to 40 per kg while sold at Rs 60 per kg. Grapes (sundarkhani) were fixed at Rs 135 to 150 per kg but sold at Rs 160 per kg while grapes (gola) were fixed at Rs 80 to 85 per kg and sold at Rs 100 per kg.
It surprises me that by fixing the price of vegetables the government is only involved in price fixing. The government has no right to do this. It is up to the seller and he may sell his produce at any price. Would we be telling you how much to sell your TV,s cars or furniture for?. Supply & Demand, that,s what dictates prices.
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