Tomato Prices Skyrocket Across Pakistan — Here's Why

By Muhammad MubashirPublished On 20 Oct 2025

Lahore: Tomatoes have become expensive in various cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta.

In Lahore, 5kg of tomatoes are being sold for Rs2,000 in the Singhpura vegetable market, and at retail at Rs450 per kg in the market itself.

Tomatoes are being sold for Rs500 to Rs525 per kg in general markets in Lahore, while according to the official price list, the price of tomatoes per kg is fixed at Rs175.

In Peshawar, the price of per kg of tomatoes has been fixed at Rs330. According to the official price list, tomatoes are available at Rs500 per kg in the Peshawar vegetable market. While in the general market, tomatoes are being sold for Rs600 to Rs630 per kg.

In Multan, the price of tomatoes has been fixed at Rs170 per kg in the market committee's rate list. Tomatoes are available in the market for Rs280 per kg, and are being sold in the general market for Rs400 per kg.

In Sialkot, tomatoes are being sold for Rs700 per kg, while the official price list has fixed the price at Rs130 per kg.

In Chiniot, tomatoes are being sold at Rs400 to Rs460 per kg in the market. According to a private TV, the biggest reason for the shortage of tomatoes in Pakistan is the Pak-Afghan tension.

In Pakistan, most tomatoes come from Afghanistan in October and November, but due to the closure of the border due to the recent tension, these trucks are not coming to Pakistan. Due to the halt in the supply of tomatoes, prices are continuously increasing.

The tomato crop in Pakistan has also been damaged due to floods. The supply of tomatoes in the market is low, and their demand is high, due to which the price of tomatoes is continuously increasing. According to market sources, 30 trucks of tomatoes arrive in Lahore's Badami Bagh market every day, but only 15 to 20 trucks have been arriving since last week.

The Sindh crop is also delayed due to floods. By the end of October, a new crop of tomatoes arrives from Thatta, Badin, and Mirpurkhas in Sindh, but due to rains and standing water, the crop has not been ready yet.

The people have become more distressed due to the rising prices of tomatoes and have demanded that the government control the prices of tomatoes and take action against profiteers.