Vegetable and fruit prices have shot up across Rawalpindi, hitting shoppers hard. In suburban markets, tomatoes now cost a record Rs 600 per kilogram, nearly double their usual rate. Vendors blame a tight supply and steady demand after imports from Afghanistan were halted.
Shortages began when cross-border tomato shipments stopped last month. Without Afghan produce to fill the gap, local growers struggle to meet orders. As a result, many stalls see long queues and higher price tags for each handful of ripe, red fruits.
It is not just tomatoes that are expensive. Ginger is now selling at around Rs 500 per kilogram, while garlic fetches about Rs 350. Fresh peas have climbed from Rs 120 to Rs 200 per kilogram in a matter of weeks. Farmers point to seasonal rains and rising fuel costs for transport as added pressures.
Fruit prices have followed the same trend. Apples now range between Rs 250 and Rs 350 per kilogram, based on quality and variety. Grapes are fetching up to Rs 600 per kilogram, putting them out of reach for many families on tight budgets.
These sharp rises add extra strain to household finances. Shoppers say they are buying less fresh produce or turning to cheaper, canned options. Small vendors worry that at such high rates, buyers will start skipping their market stalls altogether.
Market experts suggest prices may ease if supply improves or if retailers cut transport charges. The government also faces calls to introduce subsidies or reduce taxes on essential vegetables and fruits. Until then, consumers must brace for higher bills on basic kitchen staples.
