October 30, 2007	Tuesday	Shawwal 17, 1428

LAHORE, Oct 29: Massive imports from India have brought down tomato price in the local market by 70 per cent this week as compared to last week’s wholesale rate of Rs60 per kilo.

The vegetable is being sold at Rs20 per kilo in the city wholesale markets, though it is yet to come down as much at the retail level where it costs Rs28 to Rs30, depending on the locality.

According to a tomato importer, Khalil Bhatti, the import is meeting over 70 per cent of the local demand. At present, some 30,000 packs (20kg each) are arriving daily from India. Besides, the crop in Swat valley has also matured and is meeting demand of northern Punjab and the NWFP. The vegetable from Sindh will start arriving shortly. These three factors have contributed to 70 per cent price reduction.

Though, there is no absolutely fixed rate in local market, but it is ranging between Rs20 to Rs25 per kilo. In the next week, crop from Sindh will start arriving but it may not be able to further reduce the price, he says.

“Overhead charges from Sindh (transportation, loading and unloading) are more than what they cost from India. The cost does not go beyond Rs2 per kilo in case of India. But, it touches Rs3.5 in case of Sindh. Thus, price may not come down but supply will certainly improve.”

There is a fear in the local market that supply may come under pressure if volatility in Swat escalates in the next few weeks, says Sarwar Shah from Lahore.

Supplies from Swat will save Lahore from additional pressure by taking off the entire NWFP and northern Punjab. If the situation deteriorates there, Pakistan may have to import additional quantities from India. But, importers so far are expecting supplies to improve from Swat and Sindh and sliding from India, says Shah.

TRADERS FINED: Price control magistrates have imposed a Rs172,000 fine on 66 traders and sent 16 others to jail for three days for overcharging and not displaying price lists.

According a report submitted to District Coordination Officer Mian Muhammad Ijaz on Monday, the magistrates have also instituted cases against 44 people under the Price Control Act and lodged first information reports against 12 others during the last two days.

Separately, the district officer for livestock handed three butchers of Harbanspura to police for purveying substandard meat at exorbitant rates.