As temperatures continue to rise, the price of lemons in Rawalpindi has skyrocketed, making the fruit unaffordable for many households.
In the city’s open markets, desi (local) lemons are being sold for as high as Rs. 1,000 per kilogram, with rates in some suburban areas reaching Rs. 1,100 per kg.
Even the Chinese variety, known locally as “China dummy khatti” and generally considered lower in quality, is now selling for Rs. 800 per kg.
Despite the high prices, both types of lemons are reportedly lacking in juice content, leaving buyers dissatisfied.
Speaking to the media, Anjuman-e-Tajran Sabzi Mandi President Ghulam Qadir Mir said the early arrival of extreme heat has caused lemon demand to spike to nearly three times the normal level. “The local crop has yet to fully reach the market, so supply is not keeping pace,” he explained.
He warned that the current price surge is expected to persist throughout the week. However, a decline in prices may be seen next week as both local and imported lemon supplies improve.
