Tomato Prices Drop Sharply, Farmers in Sindh Forced to Waste Crop

Islamabad:Tomatoes, a staple ingredient in everyday Pakistani cooking, are grown in large quantities in Sindh and Balochistan to meet the country’s demand. In addition, tomatoes are also imported from Iran to fulfill local needs.

Every year, tomato prices soar in December and January, and last month, the price of tomatoes reached as high as 400 PKR per kilogram in major cities, including Islamabad, with many markets facing shortages. However, recently, tomato prices have dropped significantly, with tomatoes now available at just 40 PKR per kilogram in wholesale markets, compared to 350-400 PKR per kilogram just 15 days ago.

Due to this price drop, farmers in Sindh’s Dera Murad Jamali area have started discarding their ready crops. Farmers explain that with the oversupply of tomatoes in the market and prices falling sharply, the costs involved in harvesting and transporting the crops make it unfeasible to sell them at a loss. As a result, they are opting to let the tomatoes spoil and prepare the land for the next season’s crop.

According to Adnan Ikram, a wholesale trader in Islamabad’s vegetable market, the oversupply of tomatoes is causing them to spoil quickly, further driving down prices. He added that the price of a 9-kilogram box of tomatoes has dropped to between 300-400 PKR, while retail prices are now between 60-70 PKR per kilogram.

Despite the low wholesale rates, retail prices in the market are still ranging from 100-180 PKR per kilogram, and traders are urged to pass on the benefits of the reduced prices to consumers.

In addition to tomatoes, other vegetables are also seeing price drops in the market. Items like cauliflower, carrots, and turnips are priced at 40 PKR per kilogram, while tinday (round gourd) costs 50 PKR, bell peppers are priced at 150 PKR, green chilies at 100 PKR, peas and pumpkin at 80 PKR, and cucumbers at 70 PKR per kilogram.