Tomato Prices have surged across Pakistan, with rates reaching as high as Rs. 500 per kilogram in Lahore, Karachi, and several other major cities. Limited imports from Iran and insufficient local production have kept supplies low, leaving consumers to pay record prices for one of the country’s most commonly used vegetables.
According to market reports, retailers are selling both Iranian and Balochistan tomatoes for Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 per kg. Smaller and unripe tomatoes are also available at around Rs. 400 per kg. Customers purchasing smaller quantities are paying between Rs. 110 and Rs. 125 for 250 grams.
The sharp rise in Tomato Prices has affected buying patterns. Traders say many families are purchasing fewer tomatoes because they have become too expensive. They explained that Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 now buys only two or three small tomatoes, making it difficult for households to manage daily food expenses.
The increase has been gradual over the past few months. In April, tomatoes were widely available for Rs. 80 to Rs. 100 per kg. Prices later increased to Rs. 120 to Rs. 160 per kg during the third week of June. Earlier this month, rates crossed Rs. 300 per kg before climbing to their current level.
Imports from Iran were expected to ease the shortage, but supplies remain limited. According to traders, only around 10 containers of Iranian tomatoes are arriving each day. This quantity is not enough to meet demand across Pakistan.
Importers are also facing quality issues with the imported produce. Traders estimate that nearly 30 percent of Iranian tomatoes are damaged before reaching Karachi. They also say imported tomatoes become soft more quickly and have a different taste compared to tomatoes grown in Sindh and Balochistan. Because of this, many retailers are reluctant to purchase large quantities.
At present, the market depends mainly on tomatoes supplied from Balochistan. However, traders say production in the province is not sufficient to meet nationwide demand. The shortage has continued to put pressure on Tomato Prices in major cities.
Some improvement is expected later in the season. Tomato cultivation has already started in Sindh, and harvesting is likely to begin by mid-September. Traders hope the arrival of the new crop will increase supply and help stabilize prices. The previous Sindh crop ended in April, while crops from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were mostly consumed within those provinces during May and June.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported a significant decline in vegetable exports during FY2026. Pakistan exported 594,104 tonnes of vegetables worth $163 million, compared with 1.448 million tonnes valued at $367 million in FY2025. The figures highlight the broader challenges facing the country’s vegetable sector, including lower production and ongoing supply constraints.
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Until fresh local supplies arrive, consumers are likely to continue facing high Tomato Prices, while traders expect the market to remain under pressure in the coming weeks.
