Karachi( The COW News Digital) Tomato prices across Pakistan have skyrocketed, leaving consumers stunned as the staple kitchen ingredient now costs up to Rs500 per kilogram in several major cities. The surge, which saw prices jump by nearly Rs200 per kilo within just 24 hours, has triggered widespread frustration among citizens and raised concerns over market regulation and food inflation.
In Lahore and Peshawar, tomatoes are being sold for Rs500 per kilogram, while in Karachi, prices range between Rs400 and Rs500 per kg depending on the area. In Islamabad, even the city’s low-cost Sunday bazaars are reportedly out of stock, forcing residents to turn to private vendors charging steep rates.
Quetta has also been hit by the price hike, with reports indicating that tomatoes are selling for around Rs400 per kg in several parts of the city.
According to market sources, the price surge is being driven by multiple factors, including the absence of a new local tomato harvest, a sharp decline in imports from Iran, and disruptions in supply from Afghanistan. Traders say that the combination of reduced supply and increased demand has caused the prices to spiral.
A leading wholesaler in Karachi’s Sabzi Mandi said that supplies from key producing areas in Sindh and Balochistan have dwindled sharply. “We’re receiving half the usual stock, and whatever comes in gets sold at higher rates instantly,” he explained.
Importers add that cross-border trade from Iran has slowed significantly due to customs delays and higher transport costs, further tightening supply chains.
Consumers, meanwhile, have expressed outrage over the price hike, calling on the government to step in and stabilize prices. “Tomatoes are no longer a basic item — they’ve become a luxury,” said a resident in Lahore. “The government needs to check profiteering and improve imports immediately.”
Analysts warn that the soaring prices of essential vegetables like tomatoes could have a cascading effect on food inflation, as many household staples — including curries, gravies, and chutneys — depend heavily on the ingredient.
The Ministry of National Food Security is reportedly monitoring the situation and considering temporary import relaxations to curb prices, but no formal decision has yet been announced.
