Tomato price in Karachi skyrockets to Rs 400 per kg

People in Karachi got a shock since last week when the price of tomatoes rose from Rs 300 per kg to Rs 400 per kg on Wednesday. The Pakistan government last week issued a permit for importing 4,500 tonnes of tomatoes from Iran, but its arrival did not pick up pace in the market, resulting in a persistent hike in the rates due to rising demand.

Karachi: The price of tomatoes on Tuesday hit a record high in Pakistan and reached Rs 400 per kilogram from Rs 300-Rs 320 per kg on Monday, as the Iranian tomatoes didn't reach the market.

But the local administration, like its past practice, quoted an unrealistic retail rate of Rs 253 per kg compared to Rs 193 per kg on Monday, The Dawn reported.

Of the 4,500 tonnes, only 989 tonnes had arrived in the country so far, a trader said, adding that he could not confirm whether more quantities arrived at the Taftan border on Tuesday.

The Wholesale Vegetable Market Association of Karachi said that the federal government has restricted the import to a few people instead of allowing a free import by any trader. As a result, the limited quantities were already booked and sold at the Taftan border. Previously open imports had kept the tomato prices somewhat stable.