Pakistan Faces Tomato Shortage as Afghan Trade Halt Triggers Rs 700/kg Prices

Tomato Prices Jumped to Rs 700/kg in Pakistan: Tomatoes, a staple in Pakistan's kitchens, are becoming increasingly unaffordable. In most major cities—Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Faisalabad—tomato prices have reached record highs. In many areas, they are selling for Rs 700 per kg, compared to Rs 100 a few weeks ago.

Floods and trade disruptions drive up prices

According to a Samaa TV report, this unprecedented surge in tomato prices in Pakistan is due to floods in many parts of the country, poor harvests, and supply chain disruptions. The biggest reason is the disruption in tomato supplies from Afghanistan. Due to border tensions, exports from Afghanistan have been halted, leading to a surge in prices for many vegetables, including tomatoes, in the country's markets.

Punjab is the hardest hit

• The sharpest rise in tomato prices has been seen in the Punjab province.
• Tomato prices in Jhelum have reached Rs 700 per kg.
• In Gujranwala, it is selling for Rs 575 per kg.
• In Faisalabad, tomatoes have risen from Rs 160 to Rs 500 per kg.
• In Multan, the price is Rs 450 per kg, while the official rate set by the administration is Rs 170.
• Tomatoes are selling for Rs 400 per kg in Lahore, more than double the government-fixed rate of Rs 175.

Impact of the Afghan Border Closure

Traders in Quetta and Peshawar say that the closure of trade routes with Afghanistan has disrupted tomato supplies. One trader said that some tomatoes are arriving from Iran, but they are not enough to meet the country's demand.

The Crisis Threatens to Worsen

Local traders say that if the government does not take immediate steps to normalize supplies and restore border trade, tomato prices could rise further. Common people say that consuming tomatoes in everyday food has become a luxury. This is not the first time that vegetable prices have skyrocketed in Pakistan, but this time the prices of tomatoes have broken all previous records.