Consumers are compelled to pay high prices for fruits and vegetables in the absence of fresh supplies.[break]
Bharat Khatiwada, president of Kalimati Vegetable Wholesalers´ Association, told Republica on Wednesday that they would not be able to sell fresh vegetables from Wendesdays. “Even stocks of dry vegetables like potatoes, onions and garlic can´t withstand the demand after a couple of days,” Khatiwada added.
He admitted that consumers are paying exorbitant prices for even decaying vegetables due to the absence of proper mechanism to regulate market during strikes.
More than 500 tons of fresh vegetables collected before the strike began on Saturday have already been sold.
Consumers said vendors are taking advantage of acute shortage of vegetables, especially fresh vegetables, in the market by charging exorbitant prices. Price of cabbage has shot up to Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg from Rs 10 recorded before the strike began. Cucumber was selling for Rs 35 per kg, cauliflower for Rs 25 per kg, pointed gourd for Rs 55 per kg, potatoes for Rs 30 per kg and onion for Rs 25 kg on Wednesday. Similarly, bottle gourd, French bean and big tomatoes were selling for Rs 30, Rs 80 and Rs 65 per kg respectively on the day.
Anjun Aryal, a senior official at Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board, said the Kalimati Wholesale Market only had potatoes, onions and garlic in stock. “There has been no supply of fresh vegetables in the market since Sunday,” Aryal said.
Around 175 tons of fresh vegetables had entered the sole vegetable wholesale market in the capital on Sunday. However, smalltime vendors have managed to bring in nominal quantity of fresh vegetables in the market from vegetable farms around the capital. About 700 tons of vegetables, fruits, spices and fruits used to enter the wholesale market every day on normal circumstances.
Though the banda organizers have been lifting banda for two from 6 p.m everday, there was low footfall at the market on Wednesday as compared to previous days due to the shortage of fresh vegetables.
The scene at Fruits Wholesale Market at Kuleshwar is no different. Deependra Shrestha, treasurer of Fruits Wholesalers Association, said they will not be able to supply fruits for more than a couple of days as they have not been able to replenish their stock due to disruption in vehicular movement.
“Prices of highly perishable fruits like watermelon, banana, grapes and papaya have gone up sharply as vendors as they decay fast,” he added.
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