People have complained about soaring prices of vegetables, fruits and other essentials as Ramadan began, a holy month in which Muslims worldwide abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. In different retail markets in the city, prices of the ingredients used particularly for preparing Iftar meals such as tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and onions showed an upward trend. During the first two days of Ramadan, many consumers from fixed and low-income groups said that the skyrocketing food prices deprived them of enjoying the joy and spirituality of their religious month. "Traders are using this month as an opportunity to multiply prices much more than before Ramadan. We are tired of the soaring vegetables and fruits prices," said customers.
Despite the claims of the provincial government and city administration, profiteering continues unchecked in markets in almost all the localities of the city. Vegetables and fruits are being sold at rates much higher than those fixed by the Commissioner Office. In the open market, vendors are selling goods at prices about 40% to 50% higher than the notified rates.
Many consumers, especially of the limited income group, expressed their resentments over yet another hike in prices of essentials. They held the government responsible for failing to ensure market monitoring.
Servants working in houses (as Massies) told Business Recorder that many low-income families decided to cancel buying fruits and vegetables for their Iftar meals during Ramadan due to the soaring prices and it become unaffordable for them. They said that "fruits and vegetables are absent in the Iftar meals of Ramadan this year for the first time in PTI government."
The rate of low-quality khajla has been fixed at Rs200 per kg but it is being sold at Rs260 per kg. Bananas, which are a popular fruit during Ramadan, were being sold at a makeshift market at Rs160 a dozen if they are of high-quality and Rs140 a dozen if they were of regular quality. The commissioner's list priced bananas at Rs110 a dozen for good quality and Rs88 for average quality. Garlic was sold for Rs200 to Rs220 per kg, earlier it was sold for Rs160 to Rs180 per kg. Ginger was available for Rs170 to Rs180 per kg while earlier it was sold for Rs145 to Rs150 per kg. Apples sold for Rs300 to Rs330 per kg, lemon Rs 300 to Rs 340 per kg, cantaloupe (Kharbooza) Rs 150 per kg, watermelon Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg, peach Rs 250 to Rs 270 per kg, blueberries (Falsa) Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg, Mulberry (Shah Toot) Rs 200 per kg, Spinach (Palak) Rs 60 per kg, potato Rs 45 per kg, green chili Rs 100 per kg, cauliflower (Phool Gobhi) Rs 70 to Rs 90 per kg, Arvi Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg, okra (Bhindi) Rs 100 per kg, tomato Rs 60 to Rs 80 per kg.
The government initiatives have almost failed to make any impact on the local markets as prices of essential commodities have gone up significantly all over the city. The country is already in the grip of exuberant high prices of daily used commodities, while the advent of Ramadan has further aggravated the situation taking the prices of fruits and vegetable sky-high and much beyond the purchasing power of the common man.
However regardless of high prices sale has been witness in dates, Bason, Dal Chana, chat masala and coking oil, sugar, cold drinks, Sharbats, banana, watermelon, green chili, lemon.
On first day sale of dates has reached on its peak as every one needs to break fasting with dates in line with the saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Higher income group people buy extra food to fill their tables full with food for the Iftar and Sahri time, shopkeepers said.