Tomato and potato prices surge in Peshawar markets

PESHAWAR: Vegetable prices have risen steeply in Peshawar, with tomatoes and potatoes recording sharp increases that traders and consumers say are adding to household strain across the city.

Tomatoes are being sold at Rs300 per kilogram, compared to Rs60 recently, marking an increase of Rs240 per kg. Potato prices have also climbed significantly, rising from Rs40 to Rs120 per kilogram.

According to market sources, Peshawar is currently the only city supplying tomatoes to the rest of the country, increasing pressure on local availability. The fresh local tomato crop is not expected to arrive in markets for another two weeks, while tomatoes imported from Iran are likely to reach the market next week, which could ease supply constraints.

The jump in prices has already started to alter buying patterns, with many consumers cutting back on tomato purchases or skipping them altogether because of the cost. Traders and buyers also voiced concern over the sudden increase in potato prices, describing the latest rates as difficult for average families to sustain.