Abundant supplies of seasonal vegetables in the market have resulted in their prices dropping sharply in the last few weeks. 

According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market, prices of vegetables, especially those that are seasonal, have dropped 22 to 46 percent as bumper harvests of various vegetables have started flooding the the Capital’s bazaars.

The trend of falling prices is expected to continue for a few more months if they do not stabilise, according to market analysts. 

Prices of essentials like onion, tomato and potato and seasonal crops like carrot and cauliflower have fallen much below last month’s prices. Green leafy vegetables are also selling at lower prices in the wholesale market. 

Consumers have been pleasantly surprised by the cheaper products. Sabina Tamang of Kuleshwor was delighted at the fall in prices. 

“Potatoes have become much cheaper now,” said Tamang, who was seen carrying two bags of potatoes on Thursday afternoon. “I fear prices might rise again. So I have bought 12 kg of potatoes at once.”

Prices of commonly used vegetables have plunged up to 28 percent in the Kathmandu Valley in the last one month. Prices of small tomato fell 22 percent to Rs35 per kg. 

Vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower plunged 28 percent and 36 percent to Rs25 and Rs35 per kg respectively, according to the daily price list issued by the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board (KFVMDB).

“The cabbage and cauliflower season has begun. It is not surprising for prices to go down during this time of the year,” said Ramesh Dangol, planning officer of the KFVMDB. 

Prices of carrot have plunged 46 percent from Rs65 per kg to Rs35 per kg in one month. Prices of mushroom have dropped 20 percent to Rs115 per kg.

The Kalimati market, the largest vegetable wholesale market in the country, has been receiving 770 tonnes of vegetables daily, compared to 545 tonnes daily in the past. 

The vegetables sold at the Kalimati market mostly come from Dhading, Kavre, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Makwanpur and a number of Tarai districts where they are grown commercially.

“Bumper harvests of vegetables have started flooding the Kalimati market,” said Binaya Shrestha, information officer of the KFVMDB. “Vegetable production has increased this year. Farmers have started adopting modern techniques and improved seeds to boost yield,” he said.