Vegetable traders, however, has fixed retail price higher than the actual rates, citing low supply and high demands, according to consumers. Though the wholesale price of lady´s finger has increased to Rs 36 per kg from Rs 24, traders are retailing it as much as Rs 60 per kg. [break]
Price of tomatoes has increased to Rs 28 per kg from Rs 23 over the period. Consumers say traders are retailing tomatoes for as much as Rs 80 per kg. According to Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board, price of cauliflower has increased to Rs 38 per kg from Rs 21 per kg recorded two weeks ago. But traders are selling cauliflower for Rs 60 per kg in the market. Price of bitter gourd has increased to Rs 37 per kg from Rs 17 per kg over the period.
Though rise in prices of tomato and cauliflower can be termed natural, increase in prices of seasonal products like lady´s finger and bitter gourd is unnatural, board officials told Republica.
Price of onion, potatoes and brinjals have increased to Rs 35 per kg, Rs 30 per kg and Rs 35 per kg from Rs 19 per kg, Rs 21 per kg and Rs 25 per kg over the period. Similarly, price of green pea has increased to Rs 60 per kg from Rs 35, while smooth gourd is selling for Rs 50 per kg, up from Rs 30 per kg recorded two weeks ago.
Price of squash, carrot and pointed gourd has increased to Rs 40 per kg, Rs 55 per kg and Rs 35 per kg from Rs 30 per kg, Rs 45 per kg and Rs 20 per kg respectively.
Traders said supplies of vegetables generally drop at this time of year due to difficulties in transportation and also because farmers are busy in their fields for paddy plantation.
Krishna Prasad Poudel, a vegetable trader at the Kalimati market, said supplies have dwindled in the market due to difficulties in transportation due to incessant rainfall.
Binaya Shrestha, senior planning officer with Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB), said the daily arrival of vegetables in the Kalimati market is just around 400 tons against the demand of 600 tons. "Price of popular vegetables has increased due to difficulties in transportation during rainy days. It will continue for about two more months," Shrestha added. He, however, said supply of Indian vegetables has not been affected.
When asked why the market is seeing unnatural rise in vegetable prices, Manoj Dhital, senior market operating officer with the board, said: "We do not have the rights to control market price. Traders themselves fix market prices as per the costs and other factors involved."
Related story
Veg prices drop in the capital
-1778925320.webp)
