KARACHI: The prices of vegetables in the retail markets of the city have witnessed a sharp increase following the rains in most parts of the country.

The prices of vegetables brought to Karachi from Punjab, interior Sindh and Balochistan have gone up due to rains and increased cost of transportation.

Tomatoes are being sold at Rs50 per kg, onion at Rs40 per kg, potato Rs25 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs60 per kg, capsicum at Rs80 per kg, bitter gourd at Rs80, and lemon Rs160. A small piece of cauliflower and cabbage is available at Rs55 to 60.

Even the lesser popular vegetables have also surprised consumers with their high prices. Some vegetables like round gourd (tinda) are also expensive at this time.

“The prices of vegetables increase naturally when rains and floods hit the vegetable fields,” said vegetable traders.

They said that last year, the country had to import vegetables from India, Iran and Afghanistan as local production was destroyed by heavy rains in Sindh.