KARACHI: The relentless surge in prices throughout Ramazan reached its peak on the eve of Eid, as poultry, mutton, and beef prices saw an abrupt hike, leaving consumers frustrated.
Meat and poultry traders, along with vegetable wholesalers, increased prices arbitrarily without any official notification. The price of chicken meat soared by Rs200 per kg, rising from Rs640 to over Rs800. Beef with bones saw a jump from Rs1,200 to Rs1,400 per kg, while boneless beef spiked from Rs1,400 to Rs1,700. Mutton prices skyrocketed to Rs2,800 per kg from the previous Rs2,200.
Taking advantage of the festive demand, profiteers imposed inflated prices, capitalizing on customers preparing for Eid celebrations.
Even vegetable prices were not spared. Tomato, which was recently selling for as low as Rs25-40 per kg, saw a sharp increase to Rs100-120 per kg. Garlic and ginger prices also surged to Rs600-700 per kg, an increase of Rs150 above normal rates.
According to residents, price gouging was rampant as traders took full advantage of the Eid rush. Markets across the city saw a heavy influx of shoppers stocking up for the three-day festivities. Additionally, long queues were observed at dairy shops, with citizens rushing to buy pure milk late into the night.
The unchecked price hikes have once again raised concerns over the lack of regulation, leaving consumers at the mercy of opportunistic traders during the holiday season.
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