Vegetable prices jump by 20 per cent

Rates increase following high transportation cost.

FAISALABAD: Prices of vegetables have soared up to 20 per cent in the city this week following a substantial increase in fuel prices at the start of February, market people say.

A survey of fruit and vegetable markets showed a sharp increase in prices of necessary vegetables. “Tomato and onion prices have almost doubled. Wholesale dealers are charging high rates due to rise in transportation charges,” said Ameen Ali, a dealer in the market.

Owing to increasing gap between demand and supply, onion prices rose Rs22 to Rs40-50 per kg while tomato prices increased Rs15 to Rs45 per kg in the wholesale market.

“These vegetables come from Sindh and because of long distance and high transportation charges, their prices have risen in the Faisalabad market,” said Muhammad Khan, a wholesale dealer.

The reason behind the retailers charging high prices was the long distance from the wholesale to the retail market and increase in diesel and petrol rates, said Jameel Ahmad, a retailer. He added fuel prices had affected all commodities badly because of high transportation charges.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2012.