Experts have identified several factors contributing to fluctuating commodity prices, including a reduction in vegetable production, an increase in population and inadequate storage capacity. photo: APP
Small vegetable sellers have stopped selling tomatoes, peas, ginger and garlic due to high prices, while fluctuating vegetable prices continue; Tomatoes sell for Rs 600 per kilogram in suburban areas of Rawalpindi.
“The supply of tomatoes is low, while demand is high, and tomatoes are no longer imported from Afghanistan,” said Sabzi Mandi Traders Union president Rawalpindi Ghulam Qadir. “Until supply is completely restored, tomato prices will not fall and this increase will persist,” he added.
Read: Vegetable prices soar on the open market
Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border escalated in early October, when clashes broke out after Afghanistan opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army. Several Afghan posts were destroyed and dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants were killed. However, a 48-hour ceasefire was agreed upon at the request of the Afghan government.
In the open market, tomatoes are sold for between Rs 450 and Rs 500 per kilogram. Garlic has reached Rs 400 per kilogram, while ginger has risen to Rs 750 per kilogram. Onions are priced at Rs 120 per kilogram and peas retail at Rs 500 per kilogram. The price of pepper has dropped to Rs 300 per kilogram, and okra is also sold at the same price. Cucumbers are available at Rs 150 per kilogram and local red carrots at Rs 200 per kilogram. Local lemons are priced at 300 rupees per kilogram, while coriander, which was previously provided for free, now costs 50 rupees for a small bunch.
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Among fruits, apples sell for Rs 250 to Rs 350 per kilogram and grapes sell for Rs 400 to Rs 600 per kilogram. Pomegranates are priced at Rs 400 per kilogram, while guavas cost Rs 170 per kilogram. A single coconut sells for 400 rupees. In terms of prices per dozen, sweet oranges are priced between Rs 250 and Rs 300, and bananas are priced between Rs 150 and Rs 200 per dozen.
“Vegetables imported across the Wagah border from India are cheaper than those imported from Iran,” said Ghulam Mir. “The import of white onions from Iran failed because their taste was not up to customers’ standards,” he added.
Vegetable prices in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have skyrocketed and remained uncontrollable for several days. Suburban areas are the worst affected, with tomato prices at Rs 550 to Rs 600 per kilogram.
Also read: Tomato prices surpass chicken meat in Karachi
Earlier, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema announced that he will personally supervise wholesale vegetable auctions at sabzi mandi from Thursday. He said district administration officials will supervise the auction and wholesale process.
Currently, there are 30 price control magistrates in Rawalpindi district, and the government has started temporarily granting first-class magistrate powers to officials and in-charges of various departments.
