The prices of daily food items in Pakistan are still going up. Many families are finding it harder to buy vegetables and fruits because of the recent increase in prices.
Tomatoes have become one of the most expensive vegetables in the country. Even after tomatoes started arriving from Iran, prices have not gone down.
Tomato prices in Pakistan
Tomatoes are now being sold for Rs450 to Rs500 per kilogram in many retail markets. Iranian tomatoes and tomatoes that are brought from Quetta are selling at almost the same price.
Smaller and unripe tomatoes are also being sold for around Rs400 per kilogram, according to the reports.
People said that tomatoes were available for about Rs200 per kilogram only two weeks ago. Since then, the price has increased by almost Rs300.
Tomato prices have increased over the past few months. In April, tomatoes were selling for Rs80 to Rs100 per kilogram.
During the third week of June, prices reached Rs120 to Rs160 per kilogram. Earlier this month, they crossed Rs300 per kilogram and have continued to rise.
Tomato growers and former Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Younis Soomro said the supply from Iran is still limited.
He said that only about 10 containers arrive in Karachi every day. He also said nearly 30 per cent of the imported tomatoes are damaged before they reach the city’s markets.
Vegetable prices in Pakistan
According to the latest retail price list issued by the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department of the Punjab government for Lahore markets on July 21, local tomatoes are priced at Rs270 to Rs290 per kilogram.
The official list also shows onions at Rs80 to Rs85 per kilogram and potatoes at Rs32 to Rs35 per kilogram.
Green chillies are selling for Rs95 to Rs100 per kilogram while okra costs Rs172 to Rs180 per kilogram.
Capsicum is available for Rs304 to Rs320 per kilogram, and lemons are priced at Rs152 to Rs160 per kilogram.
Fruit prices in Pakistan
The latest fruit price list issued by the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department shows that different varieties of mangoes are being sold between Rs140 and Rs325 per kilogram in Lahore markets.
Bananas are available for Rs193 to Rs215 per dozen for the first quality and Rs125 to Rs140 per dozen for the second quality. Apples are between Rs195 and Rs270 per kilogram. It depends on the variety.
Peaches are selling for Rs190 to Rs280 per kilogram while guavas cost Rs181 to Rs190 per kilogram.
Papaya is available for Rs277 to Rs290 per kilogram, and pomegranates are priced at Rs248 to Rs260 per kilogram.
Dates are among the most expensive fruits. Their prices reach Rs470 per kilogram for Iranian dates.
