As Eidul Azha draws near, traders have soared prices of kitchen commodities especially tomatoes have gone out of common man's reach. Karachiites witness sudden hike in per kilogram price of tomato from 60-70 to Rs 110-120 in retail markets within a few days.
Onion and tomato usually become the most sought-after items due to its high consumption during Eidul Azha. However, it was not unusual. In fact, is now deemed routine that tomato and onion prices witness a sudden jump before Eidul Azha - and this year is no different.
Though demand may have a role to play in such cases, there is clearly no change in the supply of the crops, the retiles claimed. They said demand of tomato and onion increases before Eid tremendously whereas supply remains stagnant due to price hike in wholesale and retail markets.
Consumers worry due to soaring prices of groceries and other daily-use items. Onion is currently being sold in retail markets at Rs 30-35 per kg. Price of onion may go up in coming days, they claimed. Citizens complain there is no effective government price list for sellers of vegetables, fruits, chicken, beef and mutton while profiteers have increased prices manifolds on their own. They lament that the government goes paralyzed before Eid and every sort of price hike from kitchen items to bus fares go unnoticed. They complain that police and district administration officials are not playing their role to save consumers from exploitation of hoarders and profiteers.
The price control teams of Karachi Commissioner are limited to issuing press releases, instead of taking steps to control the sudden hike in prices of groceries.
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