Due to border closure with Afghanistan Fruit prices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper districts of Buner and Swat increased 100 percent as the shopkeepers have multiple excuses of lack of supply.
Due lack of supply from Afghanistan Fruit prices in the markets are skyrocketing, especially the prices of pomegranates and grapes have seen an extraordinary increase.
According to local traders, pomegranates and grapes are currently being sold for up to Rs 1,000 per kg, while just a few days ago grapes were available for Rs 200 to 250 per kg before border clashes with Afghanistan.
Buyers say that fruits are becoming out of reach of the poor. According to local citizens, where earlier a typical household could buy fresh fruits daily, now it has become difficult for them to even give fruits to their children.
On the other hand, shopkeepers and fruit sellers say that the price hike is beyond their control. They are attributing this situation to rising transport costs, shortage of supply, and weather effects. According to them, the supply of grapes and pomegranates was affected due to rains and bad weather conditions in the past weeks, which led to a shortage in the market.
Citizens of Buner have demanded of the government to open Torkham border and control prices in the market and take action against illegal profiteering so that the common man can also afford to buy basic food items like fruits.
According to market experts, if the same trend continues, the prices of other seasonal fruits are also expected to increase in the coming weeks.
Read also:Labour Union demands opening of Torkham border
