Consumers in Lahore and across Punjab are facing significant price hikes on essential items, including chicken, eggs, and cooking oil, placing added strain on household budgets as the cost of daily necessities continues to rise.
According to the latest official rate list released on Wednesday, the price of chicken has seen a notable increase, with the cost per kilogram rising by Rs21, from Rs490 to Rs511. This hike has affected both live chicken and dressed meat. The wholesale price of live chicken has gone up by Rs15, now standing at Rs339 per kilogram, while the retail price for dressed chicken has reached Rs353 per kilogram.
In Multan, similar trends have been observed, with the wholesale price of live chicken at Rs322 per kilogram and the retail price set at Rs336. Chicken meat is now being sold for Rs485 per kilogram, reflecting the province-wide surge in poultry prices.
Egg Prices See Modest Increase
Egg prices have also risen slightly, with a dozen eggs in Lahore now costing Rs334, up from Rs332—a Rs2 increase. In Multan, the price for a dozen eggs has reached Rs330. With the onset of winter, demand for eggs is expected to grow, leading many consumers to brace for potential further increases.
Cooking Oil and Ghee Prices Spike
In addition to poultry, the prices of cooking oil and ghee have also surged despite a general decline in inflation across the country. Retail prices for first-grade cooking oil and ghee have increased by Rs54 per kilogram, while second and third-grade products have risen by Rs60 per kilogram.
First-grade ghee and oil, which were previously priced at Rs505, now retail for Rs559. Second-grade ghee has jumped from Rs440 to Rs500, while second-grade cooking oil has gone up from Rs452 to Rs512 per liter. The sharp rise in cooking oil and ghee prices has added to the financial burden on consumers across the province.
