While the price for English tomatoes has dropped from record highs, there is still a shortage but supply issues have been alleviated by imports of the Roma variety from Brazil.
The demand for tomatoes by the oil and gas industry is believed to be behind the sustained increase in prices this year. Whereas two to three years ago, prices per pound were between $200 and $300, there has been a sharp escalation to between $600 and $700 per pound. Tomatoes are now coming into the country from Brazil and transported to the city via Lethem.
Bad weather in tomato-growing areas along the coast is also believed to be a contributory factor to the shortfall in the English variety and the higher prices.
