12 November 2004	Friday	28 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Nov 11: Tomato prices have surged to Rs70-80 per kg from Rs11-12 per kg on November 1 due to shortage of commodity caused by end of crop in various parts of the country.

In some areas shopkeepers are charging Rs50-60 per kg but the quality is not up to the mark.

A dealer in Subzi Mandi said that a 12 kg wooden crate of tomato is being sold at Rs300-350 or Rs25-20 per kg at the wholesale level as compared to Rs50-60 per wooden crate a month back.

Currently a very small stock of tomato has been left in some areas while other provinces are also been facing shortage.

He said that some main producing areas like Thatta, Badin, etc., had lost the standing crop due to heavy rains and floods a few months back.

The dealer said that some parties are making arrangement to import tomato from Iran and hopefully the imported commodity would be sold at Rs20-25 per kg at the retail level.