Tomatoes Rs 600 per kg, capsicum Rs 300: Pakistanis are paying a heavy price after conflict with Afghanistan

Prices of essential goods have sharply increased in both Pakistan and Afghanistan after border closures disrupted cross-border trade between the two countries. The shutdown, which began on October 11 following heavy clashes and Pakistani airstrikes along the 2,600-km frontier, has led to a steep rise in food prices, particularly tomatoes and fruits.

Trade comes to a standstill

All trade and transit have been halted since fighting broke out, according to Khan Jan Alokozay, head of the Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce in Kabul quoted by Reuters. “With each passing day, both sides are losing around $1 million,” he told Reuters.Fresh fruits, vegetables, minerals, medicines, wheat, rice, sugar, meat, and dairy products make up most of the $2.3 billion annual trade between the two nations.

Tomato and vegetable prices surge

In Pakistan, tomatoes, a key ingredient in daily cooking, have seen prices rise by more than 400%, reaching around 600 Pakistani rupees ($2.13) per kg. Apples, most of which come from Afghanistan, have also become significantly costlier.

“Garlic has reached Rs 400 per kg, while ginger has soared to Rs 750. Onions are priced at Rs 120 per kg, and peas are retailing at Rs 500 per kg. The price of capsicum has decreased to Rs 300 per kg with okra also selling at the same rate. Cucumbers are available for Rs 150 per kg and local red carrots for Rs 200 per kg. Local lemons are priced at Rs 300 per kg, while coriander, which was previously given free, now costs Rs 50 for a small bunch,” a report in Pakistani daily Express Tribune stated.

“We have around 500 containers of vegetables for export daily, all of which have spoiled,” Reuters quoted Alokozay.A Pakistani official at the main Torkham border crossing in northwest Pakistan said about 5,000 containers of goods are stranded on both sides. He added there was already a shortage of tomatoes, apples, and grapes in the market.

Causes and talks ahead

The latest clashes were triggered after Pakistan asked Afghanistan’s Taliban government to take action against militants crossing the border to carry out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul has denied the allegations.

Although a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey last weekend has been holding, trade between the two sides remains closed. The next round of talks is expected to take place in Istanbul on October 25.

Pakistan’s commerce ministry has not commented on the ongoing situation.(Inputs from Reuters)