The price of tomato in Karachi reached Rs 300 per kg due to shortage in supply.

KARACHI – Tomato prices have risen sharply in Karachi, with the retail price touching Rs 300 per kg due to seasonal shortage in supply.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) former Vice President Younis Soomro said that tomato plants are ready for the new crop in Sindh, which will begin cultivation in July. However, he warned that monsoon rains could damage 10 to 20 percent of the crop, a risk farmers would have to accept during the planting season.

He explained that the tomato crop is planted by November and remains available till April while prices usually remain stable till May and June. The current shortage in early July has led to a sharp rise in prices.

Tomatoes imported from Iran will help meet domestic demand until a new local crop hits the market, Soomro said. He further said that Sindh has the potential to produce tomatoes throughout the year through controlled environment farming provided adequate investment is made.

He said that the Karachi Chamber is discussing with the Sindh government to promote controlled environment agriculture. If the government creates a favorable environment for investment, local investors can develop such projects in collaboration with the Chamber.

Soomro also suggested that instead of offering subsidized loans, the government should encourage partnership-based investment models where profits and losses are shared under a modern corporate structure. He warned of possible food shortages in the future, saying that increasing agricultural production was the only sustainable solution.

The post Decrease in supply, the price of tomatoes in Karachi has reached Rs 300 per kg appeared first on Daily Pakistan News

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