Long spell of drought followed by lean summer season had pushed the vegetable prices up for the last few months. But the supplies have been improving in recent weeks, pushing the prices down much to the relief of consumers.
“Significant rise in vegetable production and subsequent rise in arrivals in the market have dragged the prices down in recent days,” Binaya Shrestha, planning officer of Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board told Republica on Tuesday. Shrestha said average arrivals of vegetables, fruits, spices and fish in Kalimati wholesale market has increased to 600 to 650 tons per day from 350 to 400 tons recorded a few weeks ago. The arrival of vegetables increased to around 400 tons from 300 tons over the period.
“Bumper harvest of tomatoes in major production areas in surrounding areas of the Kathmandu Valley has pushed down the price in the last one month,” Shrestha said, adding that improved supplies have also pushed down prices of other major vegetable items.
According to the board, price of big tomatoes and small tomatoes declined to Rs 32 and Rs 12 from Rs 58 and Rs 35 over one month. Likewise, prices of carrots and cabbage also slid to Rs 26 and Rs 10 per kg from Rs 45 per kg each in the period.
According to the board, improved supplies from Kavre, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Nuwakot and other pocket areas contributed to push down potato prices in the market. Potato prices recorded marginal fall in the period. Price of red and white potatoes went down Rs 36 and Rs 28 per kg from Rs 37 and Rs 32 per kg respectively.
Prices of local and Terai cauliflower also declined to Rs 18 per kg and Rs 16 per kg from Rs 25 and Rs 20 per kg respectively during the period. Improved supplies from both the surrounding areas of the Kathmandu Valley and Terai district helped push prices of cauliflower down. Onion price also eased down to Rs 33 from Rs 36 per king over the period.
However, prices of cucumber, Chinese garlic and Nepali garlic rose to Rs 24, Rs 118 and Rs 125 from Rs 20, Rs 115 and Rs 115 respectively. Traders pointed out low production behind rise in garlic prices in the market.
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