Going by the latest report from Nepal Rastra bank (NRB), consumers in mid-January 2009 found foods and beverages more than 18 percent costlier compared to a year ago. Even worse, the prices of essential commodities like sugar and related products grew by 37.3 percent during the period.
Pulses also soared by about 26 percent. Consumers were forced to pay 25 percent more than a year ago for the same quantity of edible oils and ghee in the market.
Cereals and cereal products -- the main staple for Nepalis -- became dearer by 16.5 percent in mid-January, 2009, compared to a year ago. Likewise, the prices of fish, meat and eggs jumped 22.5 percent.
As the price of commodities grew, the cost of a meal in restaurants also went up, by 21.5 percent.
Despite a decline in fuel prices and modernization of communication services, consumers were compelled to pay 20.7 percent more for transportation and communication services than a year ago, states the NRB report.
Region-wise price analysis by NRB shows commodity and service prices soaring the most in Kathmandu (15.8 percent), followed by the hills (14.2 percent) and the tarai (13.6 percent).
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