Tomato Prices Hit Rs. 500/kg Despite Iranian Imports

Tomato prices have climbed to as high as Rs. 500 per kilogram across Lahore, Karachi, and several other major cities, with limited imports from Iran failing to provide the relief consumers had hoped for.

According to market reports, retailers are selling both Iranian and Balochistan tomatoes at Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 per kg, while prices per quarter kilogram (250 grams) range between Rs. 110 and Rs. 125. Smaller and unripe tomatoes are also being sold for around Rs. 400 per kg.

The sharp increase has significantly reduced consumer buying. Traders say many shoppers are purchasing smaller quantities as Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 now buys only two or three small tomatoes, making the staple vegetable increasingly unaffordable for many households.

Tomato prices have been on a steady upward trend over the past few months. Rates crossed Rs. 300 per kg earlier this month after selling for Rs. 120 to Rs. 160 per kg during the third week of June. In April, tomatoes were widely available for Rs. 80 to Rs. 100 per kg.

Despite the arrival of imported tomatoes from Iran, supply remains too limited to stabilize the market. Traders said only around 10 containers of Iranian tomatoes are arriving daily, which is far below the country’s demand.

Importers are also facing quality issues. According to traders, nearly 30% of the imported tomatoes are damaged before reaching Karachi. The imported produce also softens more quickly and has a different taste compared to tomatoes grown in Sindh and Balochistan, making many retailers hesitant to stock large quantities.

At present, the market is relying mainly on tomatoes supplied from Balochistan, but traders say the province’s production is not enough to meet nationwide demand.

Some relief may come later in the season. Tomato cultivation has already started in Sindh, with harvesting expected to begin by mid-September. Sindh’s previous tomato crop ended in April, while crops from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were largely consumed within those provinces during May and June, leaving limited supplies for other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported a sharp decline in vegetable exports during FY2026. Pakistan exported 594,104 tonnes of vegetables worth $163 million, compared to 1.448 million tonnes valued at $367 million in FY2025. The figures highlight the broader challenges facing the country’s vegetable sector amid fluctuating production and supply constraints.