ISLAMABAD: With supplies from neighbouring countries Afghanistan and Iran, prices of tomato and onion in the city’s Sunday bazaars saw a decrease compared to last week’s rates.

Even though the prices are lower than the previous week, they are still high for the inflation-hit population, as tomatoes were sold at Rs180 per kilogramme (kg) and onions for Rs440 per 5kg this Sunday compared to last week’s rate of Rs230 and Rs620, respectively.

Similarly, the prices of other vegetables such as zucchini, okra and aubergine dropped as well while those of other vegetables remained stable compared to last week.

Due to flash flooding in various parts of the country, production of local crops was badly affected which led to an increase in vegetable prices.

However, the government made arrangements of importing vegetables particularly onions and tomatoes from Afghanistan and Iran, which helped provide relief to people.

According to the rate list of Islamabad’s Sunday bazaars, potatoes were sold at Rs340 per 5kg, onions, Rs440 per 5kg; ginger at Rs380 per kg, garlic at Rs220 per kg (local) and Rs324 (China), zucchini at Rs92 per kg, tenda at Rs120 (desi) per kg, okra at Rs84 per kg, white pumpkin at Rs68 per kg, aubergine at Rs92 per kg, bitter melon at Rs126 per kg, green chilli Rs252 per kg, peas at Rs240 per kg, lemons at Rs236 and turnips at Rs90 per kg.

“Last week, people were worried due to high vegetable prices. However, this week, they were a little satisfied as prices of these two items has decreased significantly,” said an official of the CDA deputed in Sunday bazaar.

Meanwhile, a vegetable vendor, Akbar Hussain who runs his business in H-13, said compared to last week’s prices, there is significant decrease in prices of vegetable items. He said if smooth supply of vegetables continued form Afghanistan and Iran, prices will remain stable, he said.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2022