Food Prices Go Out of Control as Floods Disrupt Supply Chain

Heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across Punjab have severely disrupted the transportation of food supplies to Lahore, causing shortages in wholesale markets and driving up prices of poultry, vegetables, and fruits.

Consumers say the disruption has not only limited the availability of fresh produce but also lowered its quality, with many items arriving damaged or in smaller quantities. The absence of strict government monitoring has further fueled profiteering, as retailers continue charging far above the official price lists—deepening public frustration amid an already rising cost of living.

Wholesalers at major city markets reported that truckloads of fruits and vegetables were unable to reach Lahore due to submerged roads and damaged infrastructure in flood-hit regions. With reduced inflows, wholesalers and retailers passed the added costs directly onto buyers.

Poultry Sector Hit Hard

Among the worst affected was poultry. Live chicken, officially priced at Rs 397–411 per kilogram, was sold for Rs 500–530, while chicken meat, fixed at Rs 595, was retailed at Rs 650–750. Boneless chicken reached Rs 1,200, compared to the official cap of Rs 1,100.

Soaring Vegetable Prices

Vegetables saw drastic increases across categories.

• Potatoes (soft skin): Fixed at Rs 85–90, but retailed at Rs 150.
• Potatoes (lower grade): Fixed at Rs 55–75, sold for Rs 125–130.
• Onions: Official price Rs 65–70, retailed at Rs 100–120.
• Tomatoes: Notified at Rs 110–120, but sold between Rs 180–200.
• Garlic: Set at Rs 205–215, sold at Rs 300.
• Ginger: Fixed at Rs 395–465, retailed at Rs 600–700.

Other vegetables, including bitter gourd, brinjal, zucchini, capsicum, pumpkin, and cauliflower, rose by Rs 20–40 per kilogram above official rates. Only spinach and Chinese carrots showed minor reductions, though even these retailed above notified prices.

Fruits Also Affected

Fruit prices followed the same trend. While official lists kept apples, bananas, guavas, peaches, and plums unchanged, retailers charged significantly higher prices.

• Mangoes: Officially Rs 210–310, sold at Rs 200–450 depending on variety.
• Grapes (Sundarkhani): Fixed at Rs 440–460, sold at Rs 500–600.
• Dates: Priced at Rs 470–500, but retailed at Rs 900–2,000.
• Persimmons: Set at Rs 168–175, but sold at Rs 300–350.

Consumers Voice Anger

Shoppers across Lahore expressed anger at unchecked profiteering. “The price control teams are nowhere to be seen,” said Ali Ahmad, a resident shopping at Shadman Market. “Vendors are charging whatever they like, and no one is stopping them.”

Market observers noted that the twin challenge of supply chain disruption and weak enforcement has left consumers vulnerable. With floodwaters still blocking key transport routes and forecasts predicting further rain, traders expect shortages and price instability to persist.

Economists caution that if the crisis continues, prolonged supply constraints could worsen inflationary pressures, adding to the financial strain already weighing on urban households.