Punjab-based traders said tomato exports to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah land route should be banned in order to contain rising prices of the commodity.
"Government of India should stop export of tomatoes to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah land route for some days in order to curb spiralling prices of this commodity in the wake of lower supplies," Amritsar-based Federation of Dry Fruits and Karyana Association President Anil Mehra told PTI today.
Traders said though Indian exporters will lose some business if tomato export is banned, but it will help in bringing down the prices of the commodity at several places in the country.
Notably, tomatoes are ruling at Rs 60-65 per kg at several places, including Punjab and Chandigarh.
About 40-50 trucks laden with tomatoes are crossing over to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah land route every day in the wake of poor crop output in Pakistan.
"It is for the first time that wholesale prices of tomatoes in Pakistan have crossed Rs 100 per kg as the country faced a huge shortfall in tomatoes' production this season," said Mehra, who is also an importer and exporter.
"Only hotels and big restaurants are buying tomatoes at a very high prices in Pakistan," he said.
Traders said they are getting supplies from Nashik in Maharashtra for exporting it to Pakistan.
Traders also pressed for banning export of tomatoes, alleging Pakistan government did not allow its traders to export onions to India when the country was facing massive shortgae of bulb.
"When we needed onions, Pakistan traders were not allowed to export onion to India. In the same way, Indian government should also ban export of tomatoes to Pakistan," Mehra said.
"Pakistan is depended upon India for vegetables for about eight months in a year," he noted.
In the wake of spiralling prices of onions, Punjab-based traders imported crop from Afghanistan via Attari-Wagah land route.
Besides tomatoes, India also exports other vegetables, including green chilly and garlic, to Pakistan via Integrated Check Post at Attari in Amritsar.
Source:- economictimes.indiatimes.com
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