Islamabad, Apr 7, 2025: A recent weekly evaluation of fruit and vegetable pricing issued by the government has unveiled a widening gap between regulated rates and real-time market prices. Despite fixed official prices, retailers across the city continue to charge significantly higher amounts, creating growing concern for consumers. Food Prices remain inconsistent and troubling for the average household.
Potatoes and Onions Show Major Differences
According to a detailed market assessment, premium-quality potatoes (soft skin A-grade) had an official rate of Rs46 to Rs50 per kilogram, but vendors were demanding between Rs80 to Rs100.
Mixed-grade potatoes were slightly cheaper but still exceeded the government’s set prices, retailing between Rs50 to Rs70 per kg.
Similarly, A-grade onions saw a Rs5 rise, bringing the official rate to Rs46 to Rs50, yet local markets were offering them at Rs80 to Rs100, showcasing an alarming price jump.
Tomatoes, Garlic, and Ginger Prices Soar
Tomatoes experienced a Rs5 per kg increase, with a government-fixed price of Rs58 to Rs65, while shoppers had to pay up to Rs160 per kg at retail counters.
Despite a Rs45 per kg drop in the price of local garlic, it still sold for as high as Rs300 per kg, compared to the fixed rate of Rs182 to Rs190.
Ginger prices also dropped by Rs25, officially set at Rs382 to Rs400, but were sold for Rs500 to Rs600, further proving that Food Prices Remain largely unaffected by official announcements.
Fruit Rates Paint a Similar Picture
The price of Chinese lemons remained unchanged at Rs105 to Rs110, but retailers sold them at up to Rs300 per kg. Chinese carrots stayed fixed at Rs47 to Rs50, yet their market price reached Rs200.
Meanwhile, guavas declined by Rs55, set at Rs120 to Rs155, while grapefruits rose to Rs60 to Rs80 per piece, exceeding the fixed rate of Rs35.
With these ongoing disparities, Food Prices Remain a pressing concern that needs urgent regulatory attention.
