Price of vegetable surges by 143 percent: Report

KATHMANDU, May 10: When the government is claiming that the hike in the price of daily use products is under control, the price of vegetables have skyrocketed by nearly 143 percent, according to Kalimati fruits and vegetables market development committee, reported Nagarik Daily.

As of Thursday, the tomato was sold at Rs 85 kg per kilogram (kg), which is an increase by more than a double (by Rs 50) comparing to last year—when tomato was sold at Rs 35 per kg. According to Kalimati market, the price of tomato saw a hike of Rs 40 in the past month.

Likewise, the price of cauliflower has increased by 111 percent. On Thursday, cauliflower was available at Rs 95 per kg. Last year, it cost Rs 45 per kilogram.

Similarly, the price of cowpea (bodi) increased from Rs 35 per kg to 85, bean (simi) from from Rs 35 per kg to 95, pointed gourd (parbal) and ladies’ finger (vindi) from Rs 45 per kgto 95, brinjal (venta) from Rs 55 per kg to 75, bitter gourd (titey karela) from Rs 45 per kg to 85, bottled gourd (lauka) from Rs 45 per kg to 75, sponge gourd (chichindo) from Rs 55 per kg to 85, luffa gourd (ghiraula) from Rs 55 per kg to 85, mustard green (rayo saag) from Rs 65 to 95, broccoli from Rs 65 per kg to 115, according to Kalimati vegetable market.

However, the price of potato, onion and cabbage remains stable, while the price of carrot has decreased.

According to vegetable grocers, the price of the vegetables has hiked sharply due to the decrease in production of vegetables caused by continuous wind and rain.

“The autumn rainfall destroyed the vegetables contributing the spike increase in price,” reported Nagarik as quoted by Khom Prasad Ghimire, the chairperson of Vegetables and Fruits Entrepreneur Association.

the production of vegetables has seen a sharp fall in Kavrepalanchowk, Dhadhing, Daman, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.

“Offseason is also another reason for the price raise.”

The vegetables that are imported from India are also expensive, according to vegetable grocers.

“The demand is high but the supply is less. Therefore, the price has increased,” Tejendra Paudel, executive director of Kalimati vegetable market, where nearly 800 tons of vegetables are sold on a daily basis, told Nagarik.

“It is normal that the price increases as demand increases.”

According to him, due to the short-supply of vegetables from domestic market, they have become compelled importing vegetable from India.

The costlier vegetables have affected the daily lives of consumers. A local of Dhungedhara shared that her family has difficulty managing daily expense due to the increase of vegetable price.

“Most of the vegetables cost Rs 25-30 per pau. It is very difficult to manage expense of vegetables,” she told the daily.