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Supply hit, veg prices soar
KATHMANDU, JUL 22 -
The price of vegetables in the Kathmandu Valley has skyrocketed following continuous torrential rains that have disrupted supply. Two weeks ago, 600 to 700 tons of vegetables used to enter the Kalimati market daily, now the inflow has come down to less than 400 tons.
Prices of major vegetable items such as tomato, eggplant, cow pea, French bean and chayote has increased drastically in the past couple of weeks. Similarly, green vegetables such as broad leaf mustard, spinach and cress have also witnessed a price hike. Binay Shrestha, senior planning officer of the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB), said that vegetable prices had increased following short supplies caused by the monsoon. “The valley consumes 1,000 tons of vegetables daily, but the supply has gone down to less than 400 tons in recent days,” he added.
The price of big tomatoes on Thursday was recorded at Rs. 47 per kg, up from Rs. 26 two weeks ago. Tomatoes were going for Rs. 60 per kg retail. The price of cow peas has swelled to Rs. 53 from Rs. 36, while the retail price has touched Rs. 80 per kg.
French beans and chayote are being sold for Rs. 49 and Rs. 34, up from Rs. 34 and Rs. 29 respectively. Likewise, smooth gourd was selling for Rs. 50 per kg, up from Rs. 28.
Although the wholesale price of vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower has dropped from Rs. 18 and Rs. 36 to Rs. 16 and Rs. 26 respectively, retailers are selling cabbages for Rs. 30 per kg and cauliflower. for Rs. 45 per kg. Retailers have increased the prices of daily goods arbitrarily due to the absence of effective market monitoring. Tulsi Gautam, executive director of the KFVMDB, said that the price of vegetables would decrease slightly by the end of August.
Vegetable Item Price on July 8 Price on July 22
Tomato Big Rs 26 per kg Rs 47 per kg
Tomato Small Rs 27 per kg Rs 45 per kg
Cow pea Rs 36 per kg Rs 53 per kg
French Bean Rs 34 per kg Rs 49 per kg
Chayote Rs 29 per kg Rs 34 per kg
Broad Leaf Mustard Rs 24 per kg Rs 28 per kg
Asparagus Rs 93 per kg Rs 105 per kg
Source: Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board
Posted on: 2010-07-23 08:14
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