In Lahore, fruit vendors turn a profit amid pandemic panic.

Byline: Rizwan Asif

LAHORE -- In a bid to boost their immunity and keep illness at bay amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, many are naturally incorporating fruits, nuts, honey and other traditional nutritional remedies in their diet.

Rising demand, however, has driven the prices of such items By: as much as 35 to 45 per cent, prospective buyers complain, with the government's price control mechanisms virtually ineffective.

'We get between 50 and 60 trucks carrying plums and peaches and 10 trucks carrying apricots from Khyber-Pakthunkhwa every day. But the demand for these fruits is much higher,' said Punjab Federation of Vegetable and Fruit Traders General Secretary Haji Ramzan, when contacted. 'Doctors everywhere in the country have asked people eat more peaches, apricots and plums to keep their immune system robust enough in case they catch coronavirus. That has driven up demand, which in turn has raised prices By: 35 per cent.'

'Even though we have the same supply as last year, the rising demand is driving up prices,' he said, adding that prices are even higher in upscale neighbourhoods where retailers charge 10 per cent more for the fruits.

Dried fruits and nuts are similarly being sold for...