KARACHI: As floods wrecked havoc across Pakistan, the prices of tomatoes have surpassed chicken meat in Karachi.
As per details, the retail prices climbed to between Rs450 and Rs550 per kilogramme, setting a new record in the city’s markets.
In contrast, chicken meat is available at around Rs450 per kg, making tomatoes more costly.
The official price list stated that tomatoes should be sold at Rs280 per kg, but neither retailers nor vendors in bachat bazaars are meeting the government rates. Shopkeepers claim that wholesale prices have risen sharply, leaving them unable to sell at the official rate.
Never have tomatoes been this expensive in Pakistan’s history.
The country has seen floods and crop failures before, but crossing Rs500 per kilogram as prices have in some parts sets a new record.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has faced one of the deadliest flooding episodes in recent history, causing havoc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and forcing families to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
Local governments and independent organisations are publishing damage assessment report to inform federal and provincial authorities about on-ground conditions and support human centric policy making.
Gallup Pakistan’s Flood Impact and Recovery Survey (Sept 2025) finds that 41% of Pakistanis were affected by flooding or heavy rain, higher in rural areas (45%) and poorer households (52%).
Among the affected, 57% expected waters to recede within a month, while 19% feared flooding would last beyond three months.
In addition, floodwater entered 23% of homes. Only 12% received SMS alerts and 10% saw TV warnings.
Moreover, of affected families, 33% said their homes were completely destroyed.
However, recovery is slow: just 17% of displaced households have returned, most remain away.
Income collapsed for many, 46% lost all income and 43% saw partial cuts; overall 61% reported lower incomes.
Furthermore, farming was hit hard, with damage to 65% of land and 74% of crops.
Access to essentials declined, 50% struggled for clean water and over 80% received no relief.
Sanitation worsened, only 42% used permanent toilets, whereas,27% used temporary/shared facilities and 16% practised open defecation.
