Kathmandu: After the recent severe floods in Nepal, the supply system of essential goods has been badly affected. Due to damage to roads and bridges, transportation has become expensive, which is directly impacting the prices of food items in the market. In Kathmandu Valley, the price of mutton has increased to 1,700 Nepali rupees per kg and the price of eggs has reached 25 Nepali rupees per piece.
Expensive from rice to oil
The prices of many everyday items have increased in the market. A 20 kg bag of Jeera Masino rice has become costlier by about Rs 500 to Rs 2,700. Sunflower oil has increased from Rs 245 to Rs 295-300 per liter and mustard oil has increased from Rs 410 to Rs 460 per liter. The price of sugar has also increased from Rs 100 to Rs 140 per kg.
Prices of vegetables and meat also rise
Tomato is being sold at around Rs 120, bitter gourd at Rs 100 and Fuji apple at Rs 450 per kg. The retail price of mutton has increased from around Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,700 per kg. At the same time, the price of big eggs has increased from Rs 22 to Rs 25 per piece. Bird flu cases in the Valley and other areas along with supply constraints have also been cited as the reason behind the rise in mutton prices.
People wait for hours for LPG
LPG supply in Kathmandu has also been affected due to major road links being disrupted in the floods. According to the report, people are facing problems despite standing in long queues to get LPG cylinders. The agricultural sector has also been damaged by the floods. According to preliminary estimates by FAO, about 1,800 hectares of crops have been affected and thousands of animals have died.
Anxiety increased before festivals
September-October is the time of major festivals like Teej, Dashain and Tihar in Nepal. At such a time, the sharp increase in the prices of food items and fuel has increased the concern of the people. Due to rising prices, some families have asked to stay away from preparing traditional festival dishes.
There is also a possibility of recession
According to Nar Bahadur Thapa, former executive director of Nepal Rastra Bank, if people reduce purchases due to inflation, there can be a big decline in demand, which can increase the pressure of recession on the economy. Experts have told the government to immediately strengthen the food security and logistics system.