Triple century for Love Apples! Tomato prices reach record high in history of Karachi

Tomato prices have reached the highest level in the history of Karachi, being sold at Rs370 per kg or more in retail. The prices saw a record increase in a single day with a massive jump from Rs160.

The reason behind the sudden increase in prices of tomato is reported to be the lesser supply from Swat and Quetta, which has slowed down as the sudden winter wave has destroyed the tomato crops.

The high prices are likely to get normal after 15 days as the new crop of tomatoes will be available in the market.

With a rough estimate, it will take another two weeks for the Sindh crop to be ready and the rates to come back to normal.

Those who went for grocery shopping today were left in shock after finding new tomato rates, reports suggest that in Lahore and adjoining areas of Punjab tomatoes were being sold at Rs 400 per kg, leaving consumers in frenzy.

Most of the consumers preferred to use alternate tomatoes, which are curd and lemon, in cooking because of its extraordinary high prices.

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A greengrocer from FB Area Karachi told news source that only 2 buyers have bought half kg’s of tomato each out of 12-15 customers, the other remaining consumers only bought 250 gm due to the increase in the rate.

The wholesale price of tomatoes exceeded Rs200 per kilograms for the first time in Karachi’s history, while shops and street vendors are reportedly selling it at Rs370 to Rs400 per kilograms.

The case is more or less the same for other vegetables, potatoes were being sold for Rs100 per kg while old potatoes were going for Rs40 to Rs60 per kg.

Other prices were reported to be as following: onions Rs90 per kg, garlic Rs380 per kg, ginger Rs380 per kg, green chilies Rs150 per kg, and lemons Rs200 per kg.