Punjab Ramazan fruit prices above the official daily price list have become a common complaint since the start of Ramazan, as many fruits and vegetables have continued to sell above the official daily price list across the province.
Shoppers reported that even when some prices eased after a few days, many items still did not match the notified rates. Examples cited include first-grade bananas priced at Rs240 per dozen, officially, but selling at Rs300 or more, and second-grade guava listed at Rs145 per kg, while second-grade guava sold at Rs150.
Consumers said some vendors lowered prices when warned about complaints, but many buyers still paid extra because they did not challenge shopkeepers.
Punjab Ramazan Fruit Prices: Why the Gap Exists
Officials say the official rate list is built from early-morning wholesale auctions where farmers and traders sell through open bidding.
According to Shehzad Cheema, District Officer of the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (PAMRA) Lahore, market committees calculate an average wholesale rate. Authorities then add costs such as transportation, handling, wastage, commission, and a retail profit margin to set an official retail price, which is approved daily by the district administration.
Cheema said retailers often cite higher wholesale prices as an excuse, but argued that supply could be ensured at official rates, whether purchases are small or large.
To address overcharging, the Punjab government introduced a revised mechanism in February 2026, including a hotline and a mobile app to help citizens check official rates and file complaints.
Farmers’ representatives argue that growers do not receive fair returns. Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of the Farmers’ Ittehad, said rising input costs, including seed, fertiliser, pesticides, and diesel, have increased production expenses, while farmers often fail to recover costs.
