Due to acute supply shortages, tomato prices in Karachi have risen to all-time highs and are now more expensive than chicken meat. While chicken meat costs about Rs450 per kilogram, the kitchen staple is currently selling for between Rs450 and Rs550 per kilogram.
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Retailers claim that because wholesale prices have increased, they are unable to adhere to the official price list, which sets tomatoes at Rs280 per kilogram. Since they would lose money if they followed government prices, many Sunday bazaar vendors are also charging higher prices.
Traders attribute the price increase to the suspension of imports from Afghanistan, delays in Sindh’s local harvest, and limited supply from Punjab as a result of floods. Currently, Iranian imports account for the majority of Karachi’s tomato demand, which has driven up prices even more.
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Although authorities say they are taking action against vendors who overcharge customers, consumers say that prices are still out of control and that relief efforts haven’t had a significant impact.
