Prices of fruits, vegetables drop

KATHMANDU, Sept 1: The prices of major seasonal vegetables and fruits dropped over this week as supplies increased with rise in production, but off-seasonal fruits and vegetables became expansive due to drop in supplies.



Of the popular vegetables, prices of tomato (big), tomato (small), brinjal (long), cabbage and pumpkin came down by Rs 2 to 8 per kg in the wholesale market during the period. [break]Prices of local cauliflower, smooth gourd, sponge gourd and garlic, on the other hand, increased by as much as Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kg over this period.



Similarly, prices of major fruits such as apple, sweet orange, Chinese pears and papaya have come down by Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg in the fruits wholesale market.



According to officials at Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB), prices of vegetables have decreased in the wholesale market due to increase in the supply from different neighboring districts.



“Vegetable prices are affected by supply volume in the wholesale market. The higher the supply, the lower the price,” said Geeta Prasad Acharya, a wholesaler at Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market.



The Kalimati market receives an average of 500 tons of vegetables a day. But with increase in supplies, the market is receiving around 700 tons a day.



The wholesale price of big tomato has dropped to Rs 38 from Rs 42 per kg and small tomato to Rs 30 from Rs 38 per kg, white potato to Rs 25 from Rs 28 per kg and cabbage to Rs 18 from Rs 20 per kg, over the week.



Officials of Nepal Fruits Wholesaler Association (NFWA) said the Kuleshwar market was receiving around 90 tons of fruits every day, up from 40 tons a day recorded a couple of weeks ago which has helped bring down prices in the market.



According to Arjun Parsad Humagai, wholesaler of Kuleshwar fruits market, prices of the major fruits has gone down in the wholesale market due to increase in supplies.



The price of apple has decreased by Rs 30 and is now available at Rs 90 per kg. Similarly, the price of banana has come down by Rs 10 per dozen compared to last week and is now selling at Rs 10 per dozen. Sweet oranges are selling at Rs 70 per kg, down from last week´s Rs 8o per kg.



However, prices of pomegranate and pears have remained constant in the wholesale market.

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