KARACHI: As domestic supply problems drive up demand, Iranian and Afghan onions and tomatoes have made their way into local markets.
With costs ranging from Rs160 to Rs200 per kg, traders are charging comparable prices for both local and imported food. However, the taste and quality of Pakistani veggies give them an advantage over imported ones.
According to traders, onions from Iran and Afghanistan have dark or golden colors, while Iranian tomatoes are identified by their star-shaped leaves on top. Sindh’s tomato production has begun with low yields, according to Haji Shahjehan, president of the Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market on Super Highway. To avoid a supply shortage, tomatoes are therefore being imported from Iran and Afghanistan. According to him, the Sindh tomato harvest would pick up steam by November and December, which could lead to a drop in prices as a result of better supply.
According to him, Sindh’s onion harvest has been harmed by the intense rains, prompting traders to import. Onions from Sindh usually reach the market in September or October.
By next month, the Sindh tomato harvest is probably going to pick up steam.
Pakistan’s vegetable exports, meanwhile, continue to be strong. Vegetable exports increased to 225,437 tonnes in the first quarter (July to September) of this fiscal year, bringing in $71 million, according to figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This represents a 41.5% rise in value and an 11.5% increase in quantity year over year.
During the quarter, the average price per tonne of vegetable exports was $318, up from $252 during the same time last year. The average price per tonne increased from $224 to $340, even though the overall export volume decreased somewhat from 1.336 million tonnes ($300 million) in FY23 to 1.261 million tonnes ($430 million) in FY24.
A significant portion of the nation’s vegetable exports include potatoes and onions. According to Mr. Shahjehan, large exports of potatoes are currently occurring, and only 20 days ago, certain nations were also receiving imports of onions. Afghan cucumbers have also begun to appear in local marketplaces in small quantities. In retail marketplaces, red and white potatoes cost Rs. 100 and Rs. 120 per kilogram, respectively.
