Tomato Prices Go Out of Control Across Pakistan

Tomato prices have jumped sharply across Pakistan, hitting consumers hard in major cities as per kilogram rates climb well above normal market levels. In Karachi, sellers are charging between Rs. 500 and Rs. 700 per kilogram, with official government retail rates set at Rs. 322 per kg. In Federal B Area, vendors quoted Rs. 650 per kg, while neighbourhoods including Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Burns Road reported prices at Rs. 700 per kg. In Sindh’s Shaheed Benazirabad district, tomatoes reached a seasonal high of Rs. 600 per kg in Sakrand tehsil, local traders said. Traders in Faisalabad attributed the spike to administrative lapses, saying vendors have taken advantage of weak oversight. There, both peas and tomatoes were selling at around Rs. 500 per kg. Peshawar markets recorded sharp increases across a broad range of vegetables. Tomatoes have crossed successive 100-rupee thresholds, and onions have also risen above Rs100 per kg. Quetta reported lower tomato prices compared with other cities, with sellers offering tomatoes at about Rs. 300 per kg.