Kathmandu, The persistent short supply of vegetables due to a drop in production throughout the country because of lack of rain pushed up the retail price of vegetables last week, hitting commoners hard.
As per the price list published by the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB), the retail price of red potatoes rose by Rs 10 per kg to Rs 45 a kg, while that of white potatoes went up by five rupees per kg to Rs 35 a kg, respectively, over the week.
Meanwhile, the price of local cauliflower soared 13.33 per cent to Rs 85 per kg. Similarly, the price of big tomatoes and small tomatoes increased by five rupees a kg to Rs 55 per kg and by Rs 20 per kg to Rs 65 a kg, respectively. The price of dry onions also shot up by a whopping 50 per cent to Rs 45 a kg.
However, the price of pointed gourd (parwal) and bitter gourd (karela) remained stable at Rs 45 per kg and Rs 75 a kg, respectively, according to KFVMDB.
“The prices of most vegetables have remained high since the last two weeks due to drop in production caused by lack of rainfall across the country,” said Binay Shrestha, deputy director at KFVMDB.
Bibek Karki, a wholesale trader at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market, also said that prices have risen due to short-supply caused by drop in production. He added that he has been buying most of the vegetables from Panchkhal, Chitlang, Chitwan and Bhaktapur.
Meanwhile, the price of most fruits fell over the week.
The price of apples and bananas decreased by Rs 15 per kg to Rs 115 a kg and by Rs 30 per kg to Rs 105 a kg, respectively. Similarly, the price of watermelon fell 5.71 per cent to Rs 33 per kg. The price of cucumber also slumped by five rupees per kg to Rs 75 per kg.
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