Border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan since October 12 have driven up the prices of essential goods in both countries, with tomato prices in Pakistan rising nearly fivefold.

According to Khan Jan Alokozai, head of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kabul, all trade and transit activities between the two countries have been suspended since tensions escalated along the border.

“With each passing day, both sides are losing around $1 million,” he said.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, minerals, medicine, wheat, rice, sugar, meat and dairy products make up most of the $2.3 billion annual trade volume between the two countries.

The prices of tomatoes, used extensively in Pakistani cooking, have jumped by over 400% to around Rs600 per kg. Apples, which mostly come from Afghanistan, are also seeing a price surge.

“We have around 500 containers of vegetables for export daily, all of which have spoiled,” said Alokozay.

Around 5,000 containers are reportedly stranded on both sides of the border, including at Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, and Angoor Adda, many carrying perishable goods.

He said there was already a shortage of tomatoes, apples and grapes in the market.

The suspension of trade and supply disruptions have caused shortages and price hikes in both countries, hitting consumers and small traders the hardest.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated earlier this month after border clashes and attacks near Torkham and Chaman, prompting authorities to close all commercial crossings on October 12.

Although both sides later agreed to a temporary ceasefire, the border has yet to reopen for trade, severely affecting the movement of essential goods, including fruits, vegetables, lentils, and other food commodities.

The Torkham and Chaman crossings are key trade routes between the two countries, handling the bulk of perishable goods traffic.