Tomato: Pakistan exports cause shortage in India

A surge in tomato exports to Pakistan have triggered a shortage of staple crop in New Delhi, as a result of which prices have gone up to Rs20 a kilogramme in retail markets, according to Press Trust of India. Nearly 80 trucks each carrying about 10 tons of tomatoes are going to Pakistan through Attari-Wagah border daily, said Amritsar Export Association Vice-President Rajdeep Singh Uppal on Monday. This has been happening for nearly a month now and is expected to last till January-end, he said. Nashik-based National Horticulture Research Development Foundation Director, R P Gupta said tomatoes from Nashik are sent to Pakistan to reap handsome returns. Azadpur market Tomatoes Merchants Association President, Darshan Lal Arora said with spurt in its export to Pakistan, hardening of winter is another reason behind fall in supply by about 25% in Delhi, which pushed prices upward.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2012.