According to traders, the increase in vegetable prices is due to low production as a result of delayed monsoon. The price of cauliflower per kg has increased by Rs 30 to Rs 80 compared to last year. Likewise, the price of cabbage per kg has increased to Rs 50 from Rs 30. [break]Similarly, radish available at Rs 20 now costs Rs 65.
Vegetable sellers said the prices of both seasonal and off-seasonal vegetables have increased by up to three times. They attributed the price hike to delayed monsoon, lack of fertilizer and increased transport cost and demand.
Ramkrishna Duwadi, president of Pokhara Wholesale Market said the wholesale prices of vegetables have increased by up to three times. “The production of vegetables has been decreased due to unfavorable weather,” added Duwadi. “The price of French bean last year was Rs 30 per kg but the price now is Rs 100 per kg.”
Duwadi said the production was less not just because of unfavorable weather but also because of lack of human resource. “Most of the youths are flying abroad and there are very few people to work in the fields,” he said.
Vegetable sellers say the price would remain constant for the next two months. They said the price of vegetables would go down only after arrival of vegetables in next season.
According to sellers, around 100 metric tons of vegetable is consumed in Pokhara every day. Vegetables are imported from Dhading, Salyan, Makwanpur, Kavre, neighboring villages and India.
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