Border closure sends tomato prices soaring fivefold in Pakistan

Prolonged closures at Pakistan’s border crossings with Afghanistan have driven up prices of key household goods on both sides, with tomato rates in Pakistan jumping more than 400% to around Rs600 per kilogram, according to traders. The shutdowns followed intense cross-border fighting earlier this month—the worst bout since the Taliban took Kabul in 2021—and subsequent Pakistani airstrikes.

Trade bodies say all transit and commercial movement has been largely stalled since October 11, costing each side roughly $1 million a day. Pakistan and Afghanistan typically exchange fresh produce, minerals, medicines and staples worth about $2.3 billion annually, a volume now choked as containers sit idle.

Beyond tomatoes, prices of apples—many sourced from Afghanistan—have also surged. Business leaders warn that roughly 500 containers of vegetables intended for export have spoiled, while officials estimate around 5,000 containers remain stranded at various crossing points and depots.

Islamabad’s commerce ministry did not immediately comment. Although a ceasefire was agreed in talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey and is currently holding, border trade has not yet returned to normal. Further negotiations are scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul.