According to Nepal Fruits Wholesalers Association (NFWA), the fruits market at Kuleshwar is presently receiving around 60 tons of fruits a day, up from average daily arrival of 50 tons last week.[break]
“Prices of fruits like banana, pomegranate, sweet orange, papaya, and water melon have come down compared to last week,” said Dipendra Shrestha, treasurer of NFWA.
The price of pomegranate has decreased by Rs 50 and is now available at Rs 200 per kg. Similarly, the price of banana has come down by Rs 5 per dozen compared to last week and is now selling at Rs 60 per dozen. Sweet oranges are selling at Rs 70 per kg, down from last week´s Rs 80 per kg.
Likewise, the price of papaya has come down from last week´s Rs 60 per kg and selling at Rs 50 per kg. Watermelon has become dearer by Rs 15 per kg and is selling at 45 per kg. Prices of small and big apples have come down by Rs 15 per kg and are available at Rs 85 and Rs 100 per kg respectively.
The prices of litchi and Chinese pears, however, have remained unchanged. On Sunday, litchi and Chinese pears were selling at Rs 80 and Rs 150 per kg respectively.
Arjun Parsad, a fruit trader, said fruit prices have come down due to improved supplies. “Also the demand has gone down, as fruit consumption decreases during rainy season,” sad Parsad.
Owing to improved supplies and drop in demand, Parsad said traders were forced to sell fruits, which are highly perishable, at cheaper price. He, however, expected prices to go up in the coming days as fruit prices have increased in India.
As local production is not enough, Nepal largely fulfills its fruits demand through import from India and China.
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