As middlemen enjoy high-profit margins, the increased price burden is passed on to consumers, traders said.
A quick glance at the retail price list of vegetables at Kalimati Market shows that rates of seasonal vegetables like potato, bitter gourd, brinjal, lady finger, carrot and tomato have increased by 20 to 30% within a month.
Likewise, the price of off-season vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower and green pea have jumped by 40 to 50%. Consumers blame this abnormal increase in the prices of vegetables to the lack of market inspection by the government.
The price of mushrooms has also soared. A week ago, a kg of mushroom used to cost Rs400, now it has increased to Rs500. Ladyfinger, which used to cost Rs65 per kg a month ago, now costs Rs85 per kg, which is a 30 percent increase. The price of string beans has also become dearer; it costs Rs115 per kg, which means a 65 percent increment within a month.
There are several other contributing factors to this rise in prices as well. The monsoon is a key factor, as most of the lands around the Valley are currently being used for paddy plantation. However, many consumers have been placing the blame on the government for not conducting market inspections regularly.
[100 Nepalese rupee = 0.78 euros]
Source: kathmandupost.ekantipur.com