Consumers across Pakistan are facing another wave of inflation as tomato prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, reaching up to Rs700 per kilogram in major cities. The sudden surge in vegetable prices has intensified financial pressure on households already coping with rising food costs.

In Karachi, tomatoes are now selling between Rs500 and Rs700 per kilogram, depending on the locality, making them even more expensive than poultry. Despite the official market rate being set at Rs322, most vendors continue to sell at inflated prices. In Federal B Area, the price has climbed to Rs650, while residents of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Burns Road report paying the highest price of Rs700 per kilogram.

Similarly, in Sakrand, a tehsil of Shaheed Benazirabad, tomatoes have reached their peak rate of the year, hitting Rs600 per kilogram. The drastic price increase has burdened consumers in the region, with many attributing the surge to poor supply chain management and lack of government regulation.

The situation is no better in Faisalabad, where shopkeepers are reportedly charging inflated rates due to limited market oversight. Tomatoes and peas are being sold at Rs500 per kilogram, far above the officially notified prices. Residents have expressed frustration over the absence of price checks and the administration’s failure to control profiteering.

In Peshawar, vegetable prices have surged across the board. Tomatoes have crossed the Rs400 mark, while onions are being sold for more than Rs100 per kilogram. Other vegetables, including okra, bottle gourd, round gourd, and ridge gourd, are being sold at no less than Rs150 per kilogram, reflecting a broader trend of food inflation.

Meanwhile, in Quetta, tomato prices have touched Rs300 per kilogram, and peas are now priced at Rs400, further squeezing household budgets. The overall cost of daily vegetables in the city has witnessed a steep increase, with traders citing transportation expenses, supply disruptions, and seasonal shortages as key reasons behind the hike.

Market analysts suggest that a combination of factors — including damaged crops, rising fuel prices, and logistical challenges — has driven the surge. Without immediate intervention or improved distribution, the price volatility may continue in the coming weeks, further impacting consumers nationwide.

For now, the soaring prices of basic vegetables like tomatoes have once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger price monitoring mechanisms and better supply chain regulation to protect citizens from exploitative market practices.