The reasons behind the sudden and sharp increase in tomato prices across the country have been clarified, explaining the difficulties consumers are facing.
According to a spokesperson for the Price Control Department, the price hike is primarily due to a significant disruption in the supply chain. Severe rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa badly affected the tomato crop, leading to a temporary shortage in the market.
This internal shortage was compounded by a temporary suspension of tomato imports from Afghanistan and Iran, which placed immediate pressure on the available supply. The spokesperson summarized the situation as a result of seasonal changes, rains, and transportation issues.
However, in good news for the public, the spokesperson described the price hike as “temporary.” It is expected that the supply will return to normal by next week, leading to an anticipated drop in prices. Further stability is expected when the crop from Sindh arrives in November, followed by the Punjab crop in April-May.
