Prices of vegetables dropped by Rs 1 to Rs 12 per kg over the week, as daily arrivals of vegetables at the Kalimati wholesale market surged to 700 tons from around 500 tons to 550 tons during non-harvesting season, according to Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB), a government agency that handles management of Kalimati fruits and vegetables wholesale market.[break]
“Vegetable prices have gone down in the market mainly due to hike in production during the ongoing harvest season, which has raised supplies,” said Bharat Khatiwada, president of Kalimati Vegetable Wholesalers´ Association.
Seasonal vegetables that have seen their prices dip are tomato, potato, carrot, cauliflower, radish, French bean and pumpkin.
The association´s data show big and small tomatoes now cost Rs 32 and Rs 28 per kg, respectively - down by Rs 8 and Rs 12 per kg than that of a week ago.
Similarly, prices of red and white potato have fallen by Rs 2 and Rs 1 per kg, respectively, to Rs 22 and Rs 18 per kg. Prices of carrot and red radish have also gone down by Rs 5 per kg each to stand at Rs 40 and Rs 35 per kg, respectively.
Among others, prices of cauliflower, both local and those grown in the Tarai, have dropped by Rs 6 per kg over the week and are now available for Rs 22 and Rs 14 per kg, respectively. Prices of french bean and pumpkin have also tumbled by Rs 7 and Rs 2 per kg, respectively. They now trade at Rs 48 and Rs 18 per kg, respectively.
However, prices of yam, consumed mainly during the Hindu festival of ´Maghe Sankrati´, which falls on January 14, have gone up in the range of Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg over the year to Rs 25 to Rs 35 per kg.
“Prices of yam have increased this year mainly because of fall in production. We are now worried that we may not be able to fulfill its demand during Maghe Sankranti,” said Khatiwada.
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