Floods Disrupt Daily Life: Vegetable and Fruit Prices Soar in Lahore and Islamabad
Lahore/Islamabad: The recent floods have not only destroyed farmlands but also made everyday life difficult for urban residents as food prices surge sharply. In Lahore, the past two weeks have seen a steep rise in the cost of chicken, vegetables, and fruits, while in Islamabad, tomatoes and onions have disappeared from markets.
In Lahore, the official price of chicken meat is set at **Rs595 per kg**, but it is being sold in markets at **Rs600–650 per kg**, with clean meat at **Rs720 per kg** and boneless reaching **Rs1,030 per kg**.
Vegetable prices have almost doubled:
* Tomatoes: **Rs250 per kg** (official rate Rs95)
* Onions: **Rs90 per kg** (official rate Rs60)
* Potatoes: **Rs90 per kg** (official rate Rs70)
* Eggplant: **Rs200 per kg** (official rate Rs100)
* Okra: **Rs200 per kg** (official rate Rs150)
* Cucumber: **Rs150 per kg** (official rate Rs100)
* Capsicum: **Rs300 per kg** (official rate Rs150)
Fruit prices have also climbed:
* Bananas: **Rs150 per dozen** (official rate Rs120)
* Grapes: **Rs500–600 per kg** (official rate Rs400)
* Apples: **Rs250 per kg** (official rate Rs200)
* Peaches: **Rs250 per kg** (official rate Rs150)
* Melons: **Rs200 per kg** (official rate Rs170)
* Guavas: **Rs150–200 per kg** (official rate Rs100)
In Islamabad, onions and tomatoes are completely missing from local markets, creating further hardship for households.
Consumers complain that preparing meals has become difficult without essential vegetables, while shopkeepers argue that wholesale market prices are much higher than the official rate lists, leaving them unable to sell at government-fixed prices without incurring losses.
Experts say the surge is a result of **high demand and low supply** after devastating floods wiped out crops. While citizens demand strict enforcement of official price lists, traders insist that the government must address the root cause — **crop destruction due to flooding**.
👉 Do you want me to also prepare a **comparison table of official vs market prices** for easier readability?
