The prices skyrocketed specially over the last couple of weeks. NRB´s weekly price data show that the vegetable prices in Pokhara are 25 percent more than they are in many other cities.
Traders said regular disruptions in delivery of vegetables due to strikes on the highways and a decline in supplies from local farms pushed the prices up.
Of the major vegetable items, the prices of cowpea and cauliflower have reached Rs 70 and Rs 50 per kg, respectively. Similarly, the prices of pointed gourd and spinach have also shot up to Rs 65 per kg and Rs 15 per bundle, respectively.
"Falling production in this lean season is the major cause behind the soaring prices”, Lekhanath Pokhrel, assistant manager at Research Department of NRB, said. Dambar Bahadur Saru Magar, a vegetable wholesaler, said frequent strikes on highways have been affecting timely supply of vegetables from different districts. Pokhara gets vegetable supplies mainly from Parsa, Chitwan and Dhading.
Skyrocketing vegetable prices have badly affected the low income groups in particular. Restaurant menus have, too, begun to reflect the impact of the price rise.
"I am going to raise prices of meals soon, as increasing vegetable prices have pushed up the costs of meals," said Kausila Thapa, a hotelier.
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