Tomato prices across Pakistan have soared to a record Rs. 560 per kilogram, sparking public outrage and adding to the country’s ongoing inflation woes.
According to market sources, the price surge is driven by severe supply shortages, caused by flood-affected crops, transportation issues, and hoarding in major wholesale markets.
Retailers in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad reported that prices have more than doubled within a week, forcing many households to cut back on purchases.
“It’s becoming impossible for ordinary families to afford basic vegetables,” said a shopper at Lahore’s Model Town market.
Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security said the government is considering importing tomatoes from Iran and Afghanistan to stabilize prices and ensure supply in urban centers.
Economists warn that rising food inflation could further strain low-income groups already affected by escalating fuel and utility costs.
