Karachi: In the absence of any landed price of the Iranian Tomoto, the price of tomatoes hit a record high in Pakistan on Tuesday and reached Rs 400 per kilogram from Rs 300-Rs 320 per kg on Monday.

But the local administration, like its past practice, quoted an unrealistic retail rate of Rs 253 per kilo compared to Rs 193 per kilo on Monday.

Of the 4,500 tonnes, just 989 tonnes had arrived in the country so far, a trader said, adding that he could not confirm whether more quantities arrived at the Taftan border on Tuesday.

The Wholesale Vegetable Market Association of Karachi stated the federal government has restricted the import to a few individuals instead of allowing a free import by any trader. As a result, the limited quantities were already booked and sold at the Taftan border. Already open imports had kept the tomato prices somewhat stable.