ISLAMABAD – Days from Eidul Azha, the prices of onion and tomato in the city’s Sunday bazaars are increasing continuously. This week, the prices of onion and tomato rose up to Rs 80 and Rs 56 respectively. According to price lists of this week’s Sunday bazaars, the prices of tomatoes witnessed an increase of Rs 16 per kg while the prices of onion saw an increase of Rs 6 per kg over previous week’s rates.
According to market players, the prices of both items would increase further in the coming days due to the expected rise in their demand near Eid. Market pundits were of the view that in the coming days, tomatoes prices would be likely to touch the Rs 150 per kg mark and onion prices would reach Rs 80 per kg. Stallholders told Pakistan Today that currently tomatoes and onions were being imported from India and Afghanistan respectively, as this year both had fallen short of the expected production level in the country.
They said under normal conditions, tomatoes were supplied by various areas of Sindh in the winter season; however, recent floods in Sindh had badly affected the tomato farming there The prices of most vegetables remained stable. This week the prices of black pepper, peas, and green chilli witnessed a slight decrease from last week’s prices. Similarly, the prices of chicken witnessed a decrease of Rs 10 and it was sold at Rs 107 per kg rather than previous week’s rate of Rs 117 per kg.
Stallholders were of the view that in the next few days the prices of vegetables would decrease considerably due to the supply of these commodities coming in from Punjab. This week, per kg, ladyfinger was sold at Rs 50, round gourd at Rs 36, brinjal at Rs 12, cucumber at Rs 46, peas at Rs 76, lemon at Rs 60, cauliflower at Rs 26, cabbage at Rs 44 and pumpkin at Rs 30. STAFF REPORT
