Pakistan has been severely hit by the skyrocketing price of tomatoes, an essential food item, across the country.
The wholesale price of tomatoes has exceeded Rs200 (Dh4.71) per kilogram for the first time in the country’s history.
While shops and street vendors are selling it at Rs250 to Rs. 300 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, traders in Karachi, Peshawar and Rawalpindi have expressed their ignorance regarding import of tomatoes in the market.
According to traders in Karachi, only a limited quantity of imported tomatoes reached the wholesale market which kept retail prices under pressure.
Many consumers have either stopped buying tomatoes or are only purchasing maximum 250 grams for Rs. 250 for their daily cooking needs, he said.
An elderly resident of Islamabad Bushra Bibi said she uses yoghurt instead of tomatoes for cooking.
We are surprised at the authorities’ ‘criminal’ silence over the steady rising in prices of tomatoes, she further said.
Inside Pakistan ‘s decision of importing from Iran
A spokesman for the Ministry of National Food Security said that;
The government has decided to import tomatoes and onions from Iran due to high prices in Pakistan.
The federal government has given a green signal in this regard, local media reported.
The spokesman said that the import of tomatoes and onions from Iran has been allowed for one month, with the aim of reducing prices.
Tomato import permits have been issued so that importers can import as many onions and tomatoes as they want for a month.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday announced that his government will take action against the rising food prices from his week.