Tomato prices soar across Pakistan amid supply shortage

ISLAMABAD: Tomatoes have become expensive in various cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta.

As per the details, in Lahore, 5 kg of tomatoes are being sold for Rs 2,000 in Singhpura vegetable market, while tomatoes are being sold at retail at Rs 450 per kg in the market itself.

In Lahore, tomatoes are being sold for Rs 500 to Rs 525 per kg in general markets, while according to the official price list, the price of tomatoes per kg has been fixed at Rs 175.

In Peshawar, according to the official price list, the price of tomatoes per kg has been fixed at Rs 330, tomatoes are available at Rs 500 per kg in Peshawar vegetable market, while in the general market, tomatoes are being sold for Rs 600 to 630 per kg.

In Multan, the price of tomatoes has been fixed at Rs 170 per kg in the market committee’s rate list, tomatoes are available in the market for Rs 280 per kg, and tomatoes are being sold in the general market for Rs 400 per kg.

In Sialkot, tomatoes are being sold for Rs 700 per kg, while the official price list has fixed the price of tomatoes at Rs 130 per kg.

In Chiniot, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 400 to Rs 460 per kg in the market. According to a private TV, the biggest reason for the shortage of tomatoes in Pakistan is the Pak-Afghan tension.

In Pakistan, most tomatoes come from Afghanistan in the months of October and November, but due to the closure of the border due to the recent tension, these trucks are not coming to Pakistan. Due to the halt in the supply of tomatoes, prices are continuing to increase.

The tomato crop in Pakistan has also been damaged due to floods. The supply of tomatoes in the market is low and their demand is high, due to which the price of tomatoes is continuously increasing. According to market sources, 30 trucks of tomatoes arrive in Lahore’s Badami Bagh market every day, but only 15 to 20 trucks have been arriving since last week.

The Sindh crop is also delayed due to floods. By the end of October, a new crop of tomatoes arrives from Thatta, Badin and Mirpurkhas in Sindh, but due to rains and standing water, the crop has not been ready yet.

The people have become more distressed due to the rising prices of tomatoes and have demanded that the government control the prices of tomatoes and take action against profiteers.