Recent continuous floods and rains disrupted supplies and destroyed crops, leading to a shortage in the markets and raising the cost for onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables to a historic level.
According to reports, tomatoes are being sold for more than Rs400 a kg while the price of a kilogram of onions has jumped to Rs400, impacting the average person’s household budget.
In addition to the likely increase in utensil prices, Pakistan’s exports are also set to decrease as 60% of its cotton harvests were destroyed by floods and unusually heavy monsoon rains.
To maintain market price stability, the federal government has permitted the import of onions and tomatoes from growers in Iran and Afghanistan that are close by.
At a meeting presided over by Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar, the Ministry of Commerce made the announcement. The minister also examined the country’s supply of tomatoes and onions.
The participants of the meeting said that the country would face a shortage of onions and tomatoes in the next three months, adding: “Current flooding has damaged crops and a shortage and hike in prices is expected.”
On the other hand, a proposal is reportedly also under consideration to allow the import of onions and tomatoes from India.
