Amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the terror attact on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir, tomato traders in Kolar have decided to stop exports to the neighbouring country.
Kolar is home to Asia’s largest tomato market and transacts about 800-900 tons of tomato daily. June is the peak season for farmers with the month usually registering the highest exports. However, farmers and traders have decided to forego their income and stop export of tomatoes to Pakistan.
“Though there were terror attacks earlier, we would export tomatoes to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. After the Pahalgam massacre, we will not send even one tomato to that country”, they said.
Following the attack, India has taken several measures against Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. India has also decided to curtail the strength of High Commissions.
