Pakistan Today

Tomato boycott stewing on social media as citizens continue to be puzzled by high prices

Abdullah Niazi

The first day of a ‘tomato boycott’ concluded here in the city and other parts of Lahore on Tuesday. Working on the model of the fruit boycott earlier in the year, the ‘tomato boycott’ is stewing, once again, on social media, as citizens attempt to make sense of the increased prices of tomatoes on the market.

 

 

 

Different posters, posts and images encouraging the boycott to take place are circulating on social networks. One such campaign, asking people to conduct this boycott from September 26 and September 29, is already underway. Recently, the prices of tomatoes have gone up to the extent of touching the Rs 300 mark per kilogram and beyond. They were sold nowhere bellow Rs 200 per kilogram in the past few days. This is in stark contrast to the Rs 100-120 prices in the recent past and the official government-set price list which values tomatoes at between Rs 132-140 per kilogram.

Recently, the prices of tomatoes have gone up to the extent of touching the Rs 300 mark per kilogram and beyond. They were sold nowhere bellow Rs 200 per kilogram in the past few days. This is in stark contrast to the Rs 100-120 prices in the recent past and the official government-set price list which values tomatoes at between Rs 132-140 per kilogram.

According to social workers backing the plan, the proposed boycott is meant to hit “hoarders and the vegetable mafia”,  who are “doctoring the price hike due to the seasonal shortage.”

 

 

The people campaigning for the boycott are optimistic given the immensely successful (albeit damaging in the long-run) fruit boycott earlier this year in June. The idea of a boycott against fruit sellers had been widely circulated on social media in response to unnaturally high prices of fruit during the month of Ramzan, when the demand for it is at its highest. Markets remained empty for the 3 days the event lasted and prices were significantly reduced.

The action did, however, leave people divided into two camps, namely those in favour and those opposed on the basis that this would negativity effect poor fruit vendors and that it is the government’s responsibility to keep prices regulated.

It is pertinent to note that on this occasion, the prices being charged are once again in clear violation by government set price lists. Despite a number of vendors being arrested and slapped with heavy fines, on the direct orders of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for selling tomatoes at higher prices, the prices in the market remained high.

Nearly 70 shopkeepers have also been fined and even arrested for profiteering. Moreover, Lahore DC Sumair Ahmed Saeed also made strict orders against duping customers.

It was earlier said that the problem was occurring because of the tomato supply drying up in Pakistan due to the end of its growing season. Sources also revealed that Iranian tomatoes are also being considered.

The government also announced that no tomatoes would be imported from India as it wants to wants to “empower and give confidence to the local farmers.”

In the midst of all this, consumers remained confused as to what course of action they were expected to take and what they should be doing. Many expressed their dismay and helplessness and have taken to the idea of the boycott.

 

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