Tomato prices in Pakistan have witnessed a significant decline following the arrival of imported tomatoes from Iran on 25 October. Multiple containers of Iranian tomatoes entered the domestic market, leading to a noticeable correction in wholesale and retail prices across major cities.
In Islamabad’s wholesale mandi, Iranian tomatoes were offered at around PKR 1,600 per 8 kg as the market closed, compared to a high of PKR 2,000 per earlier in the day. Prices also briefly touched a low of PKR 1,300 reflecting high market volatility driven by the sudden surge in supply.
The easing of prices is not only due to the Iranian imports but also supported by fresh domestic arrivals from Swat, Badin, and Bajaur regions, which have further strengthened overall market supplies. In Karachi, the impact of the increased supply has been even more pronounced. Prices have dropped sharply from PKR 500 per kg to around PKR 250 per kg, marking a 50% decline in a single day.
Along with these factors, the autumn tomato crop which is sown between July and September and harvested from October has also started to reach the markets, contributing to the recent decline in prices. However, this year’s harvest volume is limited due to flood-related damage in several growing areas, which has restricted overall supply compared to normal seasons.
