The price of tomatoes and onions has dropped significantly
Description:
Tomato and onion prices dropped dramatically as containers of veggies from neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan arrived in Karachi.
Vegetable prices had risen in the aftermath of the country"s severe rains and deadly floods.
70 containers of onions and more than 50 containers of tomatoes arrived at the Karachi Sabzi Mandi two days ago (vegetable market).
At the moment, onions cost between Rs120 and Rs160 per kg in the retail market, whereas tomatoes cost Rs200 per kg. Onions cost Rs 50 per kg in the wholesale market while tomatoes cost Rs 100–110 per kg.
The Sindh government has been urged by the Karachi Sabzi Mandi administration to make sure that imported tomatoes and onions are available at reasonable costs.
In the meantime, it was reported that the clearance of the containers coming from Afghanistan was delayed at the border customs checkpoints.
The Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association has urged the federal government and the customs agency to clear the trucks transporting these commodities on a priority basis because tomato is a perishable good and onion quality also degrades owing to high temperatures.
According to the importers, up until this point, permits have been obtained for the importation of more than 1,150 tonnes of tomatoes and onions.
Following their import from Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries, tomatoes and onions are anticipated to be priced even lower.
