Tomato prices in Pakistan have surged by roughly 400% following the recent war with Afghanistan, with key border crossings like Torkham and Chaman closed since October 11. Supplies from Afghanistan, which previously provided 80–120 truckloads of tomatoes daily, have stopped, leaving Pakistan dependent on limited shipments from Iran and domestic sources like Swat, Sindh, and Quetta.
As a result, tomatoes now sell for 560–600 Pakistani rupees ($2–2.13) per kilogram, compared with normal rates around one-fifth of that. Households and vendors alike are struggling, with demand remaining constant but supply severely constrained.
The border closures followed heavy fighting after Pakistan conducted airstrikes and clashes erupted along the 2,600-kilometre frontier, killing dozens on both sides. Trade between the countries, which normally totals $2.3 billion annually in goods such as fresh produce, wheat, rice, sugar, meat, and dairy, has been halted, leaving nearly 5,000 containers stranded and causing estimated daily losses of $1 million.
The situation highlights the fragility of Pakistan-Afghanistan trade ties and the direct impact of geopolitical conflict on everyday life, as ordinary Pakistanis face soaring food costs while peace talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey attempt to restore calm.
