Rawalpindi(Staff Reporter);Vegetable, Fruit Prices Skyrocket Amidst Strikes and Sit-ins, A wave of strikes and sit-ins across the country has led to a staggering 150% increase in vegetable and fruit prices, leaving consumers reeling. The protests, which have disrupted supply chains and caused shortages, have resulted in skyrocketing prices of essential items.
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The price hike has affected a wide range of vegetables and fruits, with some items seeing a increase of up to 200%. The situation has been exacerbated by transportation disruptions, causing a shortage of fresh produce in markets.
Consumers are struggling to cope with the sudden price surge, with many expressing frustration at the government’s inability to address the issue. The government has assured that measures are being taken to restore supply chains and stabilize prices, but relief is yet to come for struggling consumers.
Consumer price inflation averaged 8.0% in the ten years up to 2022 in Pakistan, which is above the Asia-Pacific regional average of 2.1%. The 2022 average figure was 19.9%.
The recent road closures in Balochistan, particularly in Gwadar, have exacerbated the situation. For the past four days, roads in Balochistan have been blocked due to rallies, leading to significant disruptions in the transportation of goods. As a result, vehicles carrying essential supplies have been stranded, causing prices in Quetta to spike sharply by Rs100 to Rs150 per kilogramme.
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Vegetables and fruits that were once relatively affordable are now being sold at exorbitant rates. For instance, the price of okra (bhindi) has soared from Rs150 per kg to Rs400 in just a few days, while tomatoes have increased from Rs80 per kg to Rs140.
Similarly, the cost of pumpkin per kg has increased from Rs120 to Rs200, peaches are now available from Rs100 to Rs250 per kg, and the price of apples has also increased by Rs100.
In Punjab, although the strike by goods transporters has ended, traders have continued to raise prices of food items arbitrarily, leading to accusations of exploitation. The largest grain market in south Punjab among other markets has reported a 20% increase in the prices of staples such as rice, pulses and masalas. Despite the end of the strike, shopkeepers have been accused of unfairly inflating prices, further straining citizens’ budgets.
The ongoing disruptions have also led to the damage of perishable goods and worsening inflationary pressures. Citizens are expressing growing frustration over the rising cost of living and are calling on the government to intervene to stabilize food prices and address the supply chain issues.
Citizens say that due to the strike, the prices of rice and pulses have increased by 20% in the market so far. On the one hand, the citizens are worried about the rising inflation, while on the other hand, due to the stoppage of goods vehicles, the goods they are carrying are getting damaged.
