Torrential floods in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have disrupted Pakistan's food supply chain, driving up vegetable prices in Karachi and other cities. Green vegetable prices in Karachi have risen by up to 30%, with wholesale prices of key items up 30% to 40%, according to market sources.
Afzal Khan, Coordinator of the Vegetable Market Committee Karachi, said that 70–80% of the city's vegetable supply originates from Punjab. He warned that if Sindh is hit by floods in the coming weeks, "Karachi's vegetable supply will be devastated." Shahjahan Sheikh, President of the Welfare Association of the Wholesale Vegetable Market, noted that the floods have reduced supplies to Karachi by 30% to 50%.
Tomatoes and onions are currently being brought from Balochistan, but flash floods have damaged roads, limiting availability. Ahmad Jawad of the Pakistan Business Forum said the floods have also affected livestock and warned of further shortages if Sindh flood defences fail. He urged the government to waive the 15% import duty on vegetables from Afghanistan, which supplies products such as tomatoes, onions, apples, and melons. He also called for the immediate import of wheat and rice through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan or private channels.
Meanwhile, in Ludhiana, India, monsoon floods and widespread road damage have disrupted the arrival of produce from within Punjab and from neighbouring states. Commission agents report that shipments from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir have been cut off, while the few deliveries that reach wholesale markets often arrive in poor condition.
"Due to rainfall and delays, much of the produce is damaged," said Tarun Kumar, a commission agent in New Sabzi Mandi. He noted that guavas arriving from Madhya Pradesh were spotted and difficult to sell. Another agent, Moti Sharma, added that transit times have doubled, causing perishables to rot before reaching buyers.
The shortages have driven up prices. Commission agents said wholesale apple prices rose from Rs 60 (US$0.72) per kg to Rs 80–90 (US$0.96–1.08). Retail prices now range between Rs 150 and Rs 200 (US$1.80–2.40) per kg. One resident in Ludhiana said, "We are paying double the price for half the quality. Vegetables and fruits are mushy, spotted, and scarce."
Vendors are scaling down purchases and closing stalls early as consumers refuse to buy at higher prices for lower-quality produce. A vendor on Chandigarh Road said, "When we buy at such high prices and the quality is not good, customers refuse to take it. We end up throwing away half the stock."
Source 1: The Times of India
Source 2: Business Recorder