Heavy rains and floods in Punjab, Pakistan, have disrupted supplies of vegetables and fruits, reducing availability and affecting quality in local markets. Sellers have been charging above government-fixed rates while authorities remain focused on flood relief.
Potato A-grade, fixed at Rs85–90 (US$0.31–0.32), sold at Rs150 (US$0.54). B-grade and C-grade were set at Rs70–75 (US$0.25–0.27) and Rs55–60 (US$0.20–0.22), but sold higher. Onion A-grade, fixed at Rs 65–70 (US$0.23–0.25), sold at Rs 100 (US$0.36). Tomato A-grade rose to Rs180–200 (US$0.65–0.72) from Rs110–120 (US$0.40–0.43).
Garlic local new, fixed at Rs205–215 (US$0.74–0.77), sold at Rs300 (US$1.08). Harani garlic set at Rs282–295 (US$1.01–1.06) sold at Rs400 (US$1.44). Ginger Tahi at Rs442–465 (US$1.59–1.67) and Ginger China at Rs395–415 (US$1.42–1.49) sold at Rs600–700 (US$2.16–2.52).
Cucumber, fixed at Rs105–110 (US$0.38–0.40), sold at Rs150–180 (US$0.54–0.65). Brinjal, fixed at Rs114–120 (US$0.41–0.43), sold at Rs150–180 (US$0.54–0.65). Bitter gourd at Rs267–280 (US$0.96–1.01) sold at Rs300–350 (US$1.08–1.26). Spinach fixed at Rs47–50 (US$0.17–0.18) sold at Rs80–100 (US$0.29–0.36).
Zucchini fixed at Rs200–210 (US$0.72–0.76) sold at Rs250–280 (US$0.90–1.01). Lemons varied, with local fixed at Rs230–240 (US$0.83–0.86), sold at Rs300–350 (US$1.08–1.26), and Chinese lemons at Rs115–120 (US$0.41–0.43) sold at Rs250 (US$0.90). Ladyfinger set at Rs190–200 (US$0.68–0.72) sold at Rs250–260 (US$0.90–0.94). Capsicum fixed at Rs162–170 (US$0.58–0.61) sold at Rs200–250 (US$0.72–0.90).
Cauliflower, fixed at Rs142–150 (US$0.51–0.54), sold at Rs180–200 (US$0.65–0.72). Cabbage fixed at Rs105–110 (US$0.38–0.40) sold at Rs150–180 (US$0.54–0.65). Peas fixed at Rs229–240 (US$0.82–0.86) sold at Rs600 (US$2.16). Beetroot is sold at Rs400 (US$1.44), and coriander at Rs100 (US$0.36) per bundle.
Among fruits, apples priced at Rs170–305 (US$0.61–1.10) sold at Rs200–400 (US$0.72–1.44). Bananas A-grade at Rs197–220 (US$0.71–0.79) sold at Rs250–300 (US$0.90–1.08). Guava at Rs205–215 (US$0.74–0.77) sold at Rs300 (US$1.08). Dates fixed at Rs470–500 (US$1.69–1.80) sold at Rs900–2,000 (US$3.24–7.19).
Cantaloupe at Rs172–180 (US$0.62–0.65) sold at Rs200–250 (US$0.72–0.90). Mangoes at Rs210–310 (US$0.76–1.12) sold at Rs200–450 (US$0.72–1.62). Grapes Sundarkhani at Rs440–460 (US$1.58–1.65) sold at Rs500–600 (US$1.80–2.16). Pomegranate at Rs296–310 (US$1.06–1.11) sold at Rs300–400 (US$1.08–1.44).
Market analysts warned that continued supply chain disruptions due to floods could keep prices elevated in the coming weeks and urged buyers to monitor official rates.
Source: Profit