The closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has triggered a sharp rise in fruit prices across major Pakistani cities, leaving consumers frustrated and traders alarmed.
According to market sources, the prices of imported fruits — especially grapes and pomegranates — have nearly doubled in the past few days due to halted cross-border trade. Grapes that were selling for around Rs 400 per kilogram earlier this month are now being sold for Rs 800 per kilogram, while the price of pomegranates has also seen a steep jump.
Afghanistan is one of Pakistan’s key suppliers of fresh fruits, particularly grapes, apples, and pomegranates. The sudden disruption in supply has created a shortage in wholesale markets of Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Traders warn that if the border remains closed, prices could climb even higher in the coming weeks.
“We depend heavily on Afghan fruit imports. Every day the border stays closed, our stock dries up and rates go up,” said a fruit merchant at Karachi’s Jodia Bazaar.
Meanwhile, consumers are feeling the pinch. “It’s becoming impossible to afford seasonal fruits now,” complained a local shopper, adding that prices have gone up “almost overnight.”
Officials have yet to announce when normal trade through the Torkham and Chaman crossings will resume. Until then, both traders and consumers brace for a prolonged price crunch — and possibly, another expensive fruit season.
