According to the Nepal Fruit Wholesale Entrepreneurs Association, the association imports 300 tons of fruits in the valley daily, but during Tihar, it is around 500 tons per day.[break]
Chairman of the Association, Manoj Dhital said specially market of apples has been greatly increased during Tihar. Among total imported apples, around 95 per cent of import in Nepali markets are that of Chinese apples.
Dhital added demand for Chinese apples has increased in the markets as it is delicious and cheaper than the Indian apples.
Price of Chinese apples is Rs. 100 per kg while the price of Indian apples is Rs. 120 per kg.
The association informed that only around two per cent of apples has been produced in Nepal out of the total consumption whereas Indian apples has occupied only three per cent.
More than 100 tons of apples have been imported in the valley in Tihar while there is 10 to 20 tons during other seasons.
Likewise, more than 200 tons of bananas and 50 tons of oranges have been imported, everyday.
Mostly, fruits are being imported from India, China and different parts of the country, but sometimes, apples have been imported from Australia and New Zealand as well.
According to Shiva Shankar Shakya, a fruit trader, sale of fruits during the Tihar increases by two fold compared to other times.
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