In Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh, tomato prices have surged sharply following the devastation of local crops in Badin district due to recent monsoon rains. The damage has disrupted supply chains and caused a significant rise in vegetable prices across the province.
Badin, known as one of the country’s key tomato-producing regions, has suffered heavy agricultural losses this season. Local farmers report that torrential rains during the monsoon period completely destroyed tomato fields, washing away months of effort and investment.
“Entire crops have been wiped out by the rains,” said a local grower from Badin’s Tando Bago area. “We now have to start from scratch and plant new seeds, which means the next harvest will take several months to reach the market.”
The destruction has left local markets and wholesale traders facing acute shortages. In major cities such as Hyderabad, Karachi, and Mirpurkhas, tomato prices have reportedly risen to unprecedented levels, with retailers blaming limited supply and high transportation costs for the spike.
Agricultural experts warn that this supply gap may continue until the new crop matures, as farmers are still preparing their fields for replanting. The delay is also expected to affect related industries, including the production of tomato paste and sauces, which rely heavily on Badin’s yield.
Farmers have appealed to the Sindh government for financial relief and agricultural support, including subsidized seeds and fertilizers to recover from the losses. They also stress the need for better drainage systems and protective measures to prevent similar disasters in future monsoon seasons.
