After a sharp fall in tomato prices, Pakistan's consumers are now facing a steep rise in onion prices, which have climbed from around US$0.39–0.43 per kilogram to as high as US$0.78 in just a few days. While tomato prices dropped to about US$0.71 per kilogram after reaching a record of US$2.13–2.49, onion prices are expected to remain under pressure due to a widening demand-supply gap.
When prices of perishable and non-perishable commodities rise sharply, consumers tend to limit purchases to daily needs rather than buying in bulk. According to Haji Shahjehan, President of the Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market Super Highway, "supplies of onion from the new Sindh crop have started on a low note, which may pick up pace by the third week of November. Still, till then, prices may remain on the higher side."
He added that a small quantity is arriving from Iran, but prices there are high, and reports indicate clearance delays at the border. "The wholesale markets have been facing a shortage of onions for the last few days due to thin arrivals from the Sindh crop and limited imports from Iran," he said, noting that wholesale prices have increased to about US$21.3–23.1 per 40 kilograms from US$10.7–12.5 only a few days earlier.
Shahjehan also stated that no onions are currently arriving from Afghanistan due to the suspension of Pak-Afghan trade following recent border clashes. "Currently, exports of onions have also been suspended due to very high prices," he said.
Discrepancies between official and market prices persist. The Commissioner Karachi's daily list shows onions at around US$0.37 per kilogram, while retail prices remain near US$0.78–0.86. Traders report similar price hikes in parts of Punjab, where a 105-kilogram bag is now selling for approximately US$82.
Data from the Sensitive Price Index for the week ending October 23 shows national onion prices ranging from US$0.23 to US$0.56 per kilogram, compared to US$0.20–0.50 earlier in the month. According to the Economic Survey FY25, Pakistan's onion production increased by 16% to 2.67 million tons in FY25 from 2.30 million tons in FY24, though supply disruptions and trade restrictions continue to affect availability and pricing.
Source: Dawn
