This in turn has raised the demand of imported fruits by around 20 percent. According to traders, most fruits are imported from countries like Thailand, Turkey, China and India whereas price of major fruits such as apple, orange, grapes and apricots has dropped because winter is the main seasons for these fruits.[break]
Binod Raj Giri, manager of Bhat-Bhateni department store at Koteshwor, said price of imported fruits has dropped in the domestic market compared to same period last year.
“Increase in the living standards of people and higher nutritional value of imported fruits have caused their demand to jack up,” said Giri. Demand of imported fruits is increasing every year, he added.
Anitm Ranjit, marketing and branding manager of Big Mart at City Centre, said price of most of the imported fruits has come down because winter is the harvest season for these fruits. These fruits are preferred by both locals and foreigners, causing their demand to shoot up.
“Expatriates, five-star hotels and well-off Nepali families are major buyers of imported fruits. Also, Nepalis who have already tasted these fruits abroad are the major group spreading the popularity of imported fruits among local people,” Ranjit said.
It must be because of the rapid sales, department stores around town seem to have a tough time replacing their stocks more than thrice a day. “We have to replace the stocks of fruit and vegetables thrice a day because of their rapid sales,” Ranjit said.
Different imported fruits cost Rs 100 to 700 per kg. For example, green pears are available for Rs 250 per kg, green apples for Rs 145 per kg, oranges for Rs 350 per kg, Chinese apples for Rs 155 per kg and Thai grapes are available for Rs 700 per kg.
Related story
Lab test still mandatory for Indian fruits, veg at Bhairahawa c...
_20191222200001.jpg)
