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. 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. Vegetables saw drastic increases across categories. 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. Fruit prices followed the same trend. While official lists kept apples, bananas, guavas, peaches, and plums unchanged, retailers charged significantly higher prices. 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.