Tomato prices skyrocket in Pakistan; Imran eyes imports from Iran

According to media reports that emerged on Wednesday, Imran Khan-led Pakistan government was considering a possibility of buying tomatoes from Iran. tomato prices in Pakistan increased after its supply was partially affected due to a lack of imports from India. tomatoes in Pakistan are currently sold between Rs 180 per kg to Rs 300 per kg.

According to  Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, aver maximum national price of tomatoes was Rs 180 per kg, and it was being sold at Rs 300 per kg across multiple regions of Pakistan, Dawn newspaper reported.

“We will consider allowing import of tomatoes from Iran,” Muhamm Hashim Popalzai, Secretary of Ministry of National Food Security was quoted as saying in report.

“We will think over it and make a decision in meeting,” Popalzai said while ding that he will be meeting importers, stated report. 

t just imports but multiple factors have affected low supply of tomatoes, including Pakistan's government policies and heavy rains which affected crop. Apart from this, suspension of tre with India over issue of Kashmir has also been a reason for rising vegetable prices in Pakistani domestic market. A partial reason for supply gap has also been lack of imports from Wagah border from India, report said.

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Pak's ecomic turmoil

Pakistan has been embroiled in ecomic turmoil for much of Imran Khan's time as Prime Minister, and has attempted to amp rhetoric against India in an attempt to draw focus away. If reports are to be believed, n it can be estimated that  imports from Iran will help compensate till time new crop of tomatoes and onions will reach market in next few weeks from Sindh region.

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(With inputs from PTI)