According to Binaya Shrestha, planning officer at Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB), average daily supply of vegetables, fruits, fish and spices combined have dwindled down to around 320 tons. In normal seasons, the supply stands at around 600 to 650 tons a day.
“This is a lean season for vegetable production,” Shrestha said, adding, “Supply of vegetables has also been affected, as most of the farmers are engaged in paddy plantation.”
Retail prices of big and small tomatoes have gone up to Rs 50 and Rs 55 per kg respectively from Rs 40 and Rs 35 per kg a month earlier. Red potatoes and white potatoes have also become dearer by Rs 6 and Rs 4 per kg respectively from Rs 30 and Rs 26 a month earlier.
According to a KFVMDB report, the prices of onion and cabbage have also soared to Rs 28 per kg and Rs 55 per kg respectively from Rs 25 per kg and Rs 40. The prices of carrot and cauliflower (local) have almost doubled to Rs 75 per kg and Rs 58 per kg respectively from Rs 40 and Rs 30 over the period.
Geeta Prasad Acharya, a vegetable wholesaler in Kalimati market, said most of the vegetable farms had stopped supplying vegetables due to low productivity, thanks to long spell of drought. “The supply of vegetables from Tarai has sharply declined and districts surrounding the Kathmandu valley are also supplying the vegetables in lower quantity these days,” said Acharya.
He said potatoes and tomatoes were being supplied from Dhading, Kavre and Makawanpur districts. Only bitter gourds and lady-fingers are coming from Tarai districts, he added.
Price hike is not only limited to vegetables. Popular fruits are also getting dearer these days. The price of apple has almost doubled to Rs 260 per kg from Rs 145 about a month ago. The prices of mango and cucumber have also increased to Rs 95 per kg from Rs 60 per kg.
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