No relief for consumers despite arrival of smuggled tomato, onion in Karachi market

KARACHI: Imports of tomato and onion from Iran and Afghanistan by road without any quarantine check continue unabated which pose serious health threats to consumers, who on the other hand, find no relief from the high prices of onion despite the arrival of Sindh crop some 15 days ago.

There are also reports that Iranian and Afghan tomatoes carry chemicals aimed at increasing their shelf life, but it is unclear whether they are fit for human consumption or not.

Retailers said major traders at the main vegetable market off Superhighway were releasing Sindh crop slowly as they were trying to clear Iranian and Afghan onion which they had procured earlier.

Onion’s retail price has been hovering around Rs70-80 per kg since last 15 days despite the arrival of Sindh’s new crop.