Though the prices of most of the seasonal vegetables have witnessed a downward trend in the Sunday bazaars of the city, when compared to last week’s prices, the prices of onions and tomatoes are, however, are still very high.
This Sunday, the prices of tomato and onion witnessed a decrease of Rs 24 and Rs 4 per kilogram respectively. The customers who went to various Sunday bazaars said the prices were still “too much”.
This Sunday onion was sold at Rs 60 per Kg against the last week’s prices of Rs 64 per Kg. Similarly, this Sunday, tomato was sold at Rs 76 against the previous week’s rate when it was available at Rs 100 per Kg.
The vegetable stall-holders told this scribe that the prices of tomato and onion were high due to their high demand and less supply.
“Currently, tomato and onion are being imported from India and Afghanistan…as both the crops had less production in the country this season and because of that their prices are high here,” said Khaqan Khan, a tomatoes seller at Sector-G/6 Sunday bazaar.
He said under normal conditions, tomatoes in winter season are supplied in bulk from Sindh province but last year’s flood damaged the crop. He said the supply from Sindh would resume next month since the farmers were presently cultivating the crop there.
According to the price lists of the Sunday bazaars, the prices of almost all vegetables witnessed significant decrease compared to the last week’s prices.
This week potato was sold at Rs 13 per Kg, ginger and garlic were sold at Rs 80 per Kg each against the previous week’s rate of Rs 80 per Kg.
While this week the prices of lemon also witnessed a decrease of Rs 4. This week it was sold at Rs 60 per Kg. Peas were sold at Rs 44 against the last week’s rate of Rs 70 while green chili was sold at Rs 88 against the previous week’s rate when it was sold at Rs 120 per kg.
According to list, this week, cauliflower flower was sold at Rs 18 per Kg, cabbage at Rs 44, brinjal (long) was sold at Rs 6 per Kg, brinjal gourd was sold at Rs 12 per Kg. The prices of black pepper also remained stable as this week it was sold at Rs 80 per Kg. It was observed that a less number of people visited the bazaars. And those who were present there were surprised at the 150 per cent increase in the rate of tomato. In fruit section almost all prices remained stable. This week apple golden was sold at Rs 80 per Kg and banana was sold at Rs 60 per dozen.