Tomato, onion and flour rates surge

KARACHI: After paying higher prices for sacrificial animals to fulfil a religious obligation, consumers now face another challenge in finding extra cash to buy high-demand vegetables and flour ahead of Eidul Azha. Retailers have increased the price of onions by Rs20 per kg as demand usually rises for its extensive use in preparing Eid-related meat dishes. Consumers are paying Rs100 per kg for good-quality onions, compared with Rs80 per kg a few days ago. A good-quality tomato is now priced at Rs180-200 per kg, compared with Rs70-100 in the middle of this month and Rs50-80 per kg earlier this month. Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market, New Subzi Mandi, President Haji Shahjahan said the Sindh onion crop is nearing its end, while demand is being met by crops from Punjab and Balochistan. Wholesale prices lag retail hikes; traders blame low arrivals and transport priority for sacrificial animals He said retailers are fully cashing in on the high demand for onions, as the wholesale rate is no more than Rs50 per kg. In tomatoes and onions, slow arrival from the producing areas of Sindh and Balochistan is another reason for the price hike, as transporters were more inclined to transport sacrificial animals from up country. Prices of ginger and garlic have risen by Rs50 per 250 grams, to Rs200 per 250 grams. Consumers may see a price hike in vegetables in the next one or two days due to the closure of Super Highway Sabzi Mandi for the Eid holidays. Vegetable exports fall Exports of onion and potato, which account for a large share of total vegetable exports, have plunged sharply, having a significant negative impact on overall vegetable exports. According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), overall vegetable exports during 10MFY26 stood at 504,235 tonnes ($141 million), down 60pc in quantity and 56pc in value year on year. All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed said the closure of t