Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB) figures show that arrivals of agro-products nosedived to 498 tons on Tuesday from 513 tons a week ago. During normal season, total 650 tons of agro products would enter the Kalimati wholesale market every day.
Average daily arrivals of agro products in June last year were recorded at 508 tons.
Geeta Prasad Acharya, former president of vegetable whole-sellers in Kalimati market said ongoing drought in the major vegetable producing districts is the main reason behind the decline in arrivals of farm produces.
“The prices are going to rise further in coming days as vegetable seedlings have started dying due to blazing sun heat in some vegetables farms in the absence of irrigation facilities,” said Acharya.
At present, Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi, Chitwan, Dhading, Kavre, Nuwakot and Makawanpur districts are supplying fresh vegetables to the capital whereas India has been fulfilling onion demand in the Nepali market.
With the drop in supply, prices of some vegetables have slightly gone up. Wholesale prices of big tomatoes and red potatoes went up to Rs 30 per kg and Rs 26 per kg respectively on Tuesday from Rs 26 per kg and Rs 24 per kg respectively a month ago.
The price of cabbage sharply rose to Rs 40 per kg from Rs 30 per kg. Prices of carrots shot up to Rs 40 per kg from Rs 20 per kg while onion became a rupee pricier at Rs 20 per kg.
However, price of small tomatoes and white potatoes have come down to Rs 26 per kg and Rs 21 per kg respectively from Rs 36 per kg and Rs 22 per kg.
Similarly, some of the popular fruits also become dearer over one month. Prices of apple and papaya rose sharply to Rs 130 per kg and Rs 40 per kg respectively from Rs 85 per kg and Rs 22 per kg a month ago.
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