Fruit, vegetable prices soar amid Pak-Afghan tensions

Border closure halts two-way trade; costs of essentials skyrocket

RAWALPINDI:

Ongoing political and border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have completely halted the import and export of vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, and other food items for the past two weeks.

As a result, inflation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad markets has skyrocketed.

Prices of vegetables and fruits have surged to record highs. Tomatoes are selling at Rs450 per kg, garlic at Rs600, ginger at Rs800, peas at Rs400, onions at Rs180, and radish at Rs150 per kg.

The price of Kandhari pomegranates has climbed to Rs450 per kg, while grapes from Chaman now exceed Rs550 per kg.

Supplies from Afghanistan — including tomatoes, apples, grapes, pomegranates, and dry fruits — have stopped completely despite being the peak season. In contrast, chicken prices have dropped because smuggling of poultry to Afghanistan has ceased.

However, prices of mutton, beef, and bread have increased, and milk sellers have announced further hikes for November.

Market sources said that the destruction of local crops due to recent floods has worsened the situation. "Pakistan's vegetable and fruit crops were ruined. We used to rely heavily on Afghan imports.

Now supply is low and demand is double," said Ghulam Qadir Mir, President of Anjuman Tajran Sabzi Mandi. "Until trade resumes, prices will not come down."

According to district administration sources, borders at Chaman, Khyber, South and North Waziristan, Kurram, Bab-e-Dosti, Torkham, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan have remained closed for 14 days, leaving hundreds of containers stuck on both sides. Perishable goods, including fruits and vegetables, have rotted inside the trucks.

Meanwhile, dairy vendors have announced new prices — milk will rise from Rs220 to Rs240 per litre and yoghurt from Rs240 to Rs260 per kilogram from the first week of November. Mutton is now being sold at Rs2,500 per kg and beef at Rs1,500 per kg.