Food Prices Surge in Ramadan as Price Control Measures Fail
By Shahzad Paracha :
Prices of essential food items have surged in markets during the holy month of Ramadan, with consumers complaining that government efforts to control inflation have had little impact.
Despite official measures aimed at stabilising prices, meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables are being sold at significantly higher rates in open markets, placing additional pressure on household budgets.
According to market traders, bone-in beef is currently selling for around Rs1,400 per kilogram, while boneless beef has reached Rs1,600 per kilogram. Mutton prices have climbed to nearly Rs2,600 per kilogram, while chicken meat is being sold for about Rs600 per kilogram.
Specialty meat items have also become costly. A dozen cleaned goat trotters are being sold for about Rs2,600, while four cleaned cow trotters are priced at roughly Rs4,200.
Vendors say prices may rise further as Eid al-Fitr approaches, a period when demand for meat and other food items traditionally increases.
Fruit and vegetable prices rise
The increase is also evident in fruit markets. Apples are selling for around Rs550 per kilogram, bananas for Rs280 per dozen, guavas for Rs250 per kilogram and kinnow for approximately Rs350 per dozen.
Vegetable prices have also climbed during Ramadan, although potatoes remain comparatively affordable. Traders say potatoes are currently selling for about Rs120 for five kilograms, making them one of the few items that have not seen a sharp increase.
Consumers call for action
Many shoppers say the continued rise in food prices has made it difficult to manage daily expenses during Ramadan, with several weeks of fasting still remaining.
They have urged authorities to strengthen monitoring of markets so that people can observe the remaining fasts without facing an additional financial burden.
Traders cite rising costs
However, sellers argue that they are forced to raise prices because of higher wholesale costs and operational expenses.
Retailers say they must add transportation charges, labour costs and a profit margin to the purchase price before selling goods to consumers.
Fuel price hike may add pressure
Market observers warn that inflation could intensify further as another increase in petroleum prices is expected around the 19th of Ramadan.
Higher fuel costs typically push up transportation expenses, which in turn lead to further increases in food prices.
The government in Punjab had introduced several price control measures ahead of Ramadan, but so far these efforts have struggled to contain the rising cost of food in open markets.
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