Kathmandu, September 28:

The incessant rainfall throughout the country in the past few days has affected the supply of fruits and vegetables in the Kalamati Fruits and Vegetable Market. This has resulted in shortage of vegetables in the Kathmandu valley and the prices are soaring.

“We used to import 550-600 metric tonnes of vegetables and fruits during the other seasons but this is off season and the continuous rainfall in the past few days has affected import of vegetables into Kathmandu and also their production in Tarai. So there is short supply,” he said. The population of the city has increased and consumption is also high these days, he said. “Last year also, we imported around 400 metric tons of vegetables and fruits every day during this season but there was no scarcity and the price was also stagnant,” he added.

“Due to the incessant rainfall and floods in Tarai, farmers could not produce vegetables as per the demand in Kathmandu valley. This has led to rise in price since last month,” he said.

Currently 75 per cent of the fruits and vegetables in Kalimati Market are being supplied from the valley and its surrounding districts like Dhading, Makawanpur and Kavre.

“Hailstones resulted in decrease in potato production so we are importing it from India, so the price of potatoes has soared,” he said.