Tomato price again crosses Rs300 mark in Karachi markets

Published November 17, 2019
Traders on Saturday increased the per kilogram price of tomato to Rs300-320 from Rs240-250 per kg even before the arrival of Iranian tomato in Karachi markets. — Wikimedia Commons/File
Traders on Saturday increased the per kilogram price of tomato to Rs300-320 from Rs240-250 per kg even before the arrival of Iranian tomato in Karachi markets. — Wikimedia Commons/File

KARACHI: Traders on Saturday increased the per kilogram price of tomato to Rs300-320 from Rs240-250 per kg even before the arrival of Iranian tomato in Karachi markets.

Consumers in the second week of the current month had to pay over Rs300 for a kilo of tomato and many people are not able to pay the high price of the commodity.

Many retailers have also increased the per kilogram price of onion to Rs90-100 from Rs80 per kg despite the fact that Sindh’s crop in lower quantities from various producing areas along with onion from Afghanistan and Swat has reached markets.

The wholesale price of onion is Rs70 per kg. Sindh’s onion crop may increase from the end of the current month, but traders already jacked up the price manifold.

Amid high prices, onion is also being exported to Sri Lanka, Far East and Bangladesh at $550 per tonne (FOB price).

About the tomato crisis, traders in the city’s main vegetable market said that the wholesale tomato prices had fallen to Rs200 from Rs240 per kg during the last one day. They expressed surprise as to how the retailers were fleecing consumers by increasing the price.

Nowadays, many people are picking one or two tomato as per their requirement instead of buying in kilos.

Many retailers are charging Rs80 per 250 grams of tomato and Rs300 for one kg.

Stakeholders in Sabzi Mandi are refusing to reveal the landed price of Iranian tomatoes. The government had initially issued permits for importing 4,500 tonnes of Iranian tomato.

All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers, and Merchants Association’s patron-in-chief Waheed Ahmed said: “Actually clearing agents have been engaged in providing services by importing, clearing and transporting tomato from the Taftan border to Pakistani markets. “I think the landed cost of Iranian tomato will not be more than Rs100 per kg,” he said.

Imported tomato would first arrive in Balochistan markets and then reach Karachi and other markets, he said, adding that the situation relating to more imports and price would be clear by next week.

He said recent rains in Sindh and Balochistan may pose a threat to the ready crops of tomato and onions.

Mr Ahmed said that the ongoing protest campaign of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl by blocking main arteries might create problems in transportation of vegetables and other items from one province to another. The government should take steps in ensuring smooth movement of goods, particularly perishable goods, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2019

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

No remorse
Updated 28 Feb, 2025

No remorse

Disturbingly, the regime seems to grow bolder in its defiance of its obligations with each passing day.
Affordable Ramazan
28 Feb, 2025

Affordable Ramazan

WITH the month of Ramazan commencing in a day or two, a price spiral peculiar to the fasting month has kicked off....
Grotesque vision
28 Feb, 2025

Grotesque vision

THE Trump administration has sunk to a new low in its cavalier approach to the Gaza crisis. It seems all sense has...
The challenge before banks
Updated 27 Feb, 2025

The challenge before banks

The way we do banking today will not exist in next 10 years, only those will survive who are capable of adopting new technologies.
Torkham tension
27 Feb, 2025

Torkham tension

CONTROVERSY over demarcation of the common frontier is one of the key obstacles standing in the way of better...
Weak link
27 Feb, 2025

Weak link

KARACHI — economic powerhouse, cultural melting pot, and bustling metropolis of over 20m souls. There is much that...