Tomato prices in Kathmandu Valley have surged by up to 85 percent within a month, driven by shrinking supply as heatwaves and erratic rainfall continue to affect production.

According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board, the wholesale price of large Nepali tomatoes rose by 85.71 percent in the past month, reaching Rs65 per kilogram on Tuesday. Large Indian tomatoes saw a more modest rise of 9.01 percent to Rs50 per kilogram, while small local tomatoes have become pricier by 56.74 percent to Rs35 per kilogram.

Retail prices, however, have spiked even more sharply. Large tomatoes are now selling for up to Rs149 per kilogram, while small ones are going for Rs99 per kg—up from Rs50–60 just a few days ago.

The tomato crop is susceptible to rain and heat. The current weather causes the vegetable to decay quickly, reducing supply, said Binay Shrestha, information officer at the Kalimati board. “This supply-demand imbalance is the main reason behind the price hike.”

The volume of large tomatoes arriving at the Kalimati market in Kathmandu has dropped 36.17 percent to 15 tonnes monthly. The small tomato supply has also declined by 44.22 percent to a total of 56 tonnes.

Shrestha noted that wholesale prices peaked at Rs80–90 per kilogram recently but are now showing signs of declining. The board's latest market list shows that most other vegetables have also seen a drop in wholesale prices.

Seasonal vegetables are entering the market in larger quantities, helping stabilise overall supply and bringing down prices across crops.

On Monday, the Kalimati market received 601 tonnes of kitchen supplies.

Vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, radish, eggplants, cow peas, French beans, snake gourds, smooth gourds, sponge gourds, pumpkins, okra, leafy greens, mushrooms, and broccoli have all seen a drop in wholesale prices.

Potato prices fell 4.48 percent to Rs33.67 per kilogram in wholesale markets, although retail prices remain high at Rs50–90 per kilogram. Eggplant prices dropped sharply by 29.32 percent to Rs17.67 per kg wholesale, but they are still being sold at Rs80–90 per kilogram in retail.

Cow peas fell 40 percent to Rs45 per kilogram, French beans (local) dropped 53.85 percent to Rs30, and hybrid French beans plummeted 61.54 percent to Rs25 per kilogram.

The price of green soybeans declined by 10.71 percent to Rs125 per kilogram.

Among green vegetables, the price of snake gourds fell by 44.44 percent to Rs25 per kilogram. Smooth gourds dropped by 42.86 percent to Rs20 per kilogram, and sponge gourds by 26.67 percent to Rs55 per kilogram. Yet, all three in retail markets continue to fetch Rs180–Rs190 per kilogram.

Pumpkins also saw an 11.11 percent decline in wholesale price to Rs40 per kilogram. Retail prices remain high, ranging from Rs80 to Rs90 per kilogram.

Okra experienced one of the steepest drops, with wholesale prices falling by 49.62 percent to Rs22.67 per kg. Retail prices remain inflated, however, at Rs90–100 per kilogram.

According to the latest report from Nepal Rastra Bank, the year-on-year consumer price inflation stood at 3.39 percent as of mid-April 2025, compared to 4.61 percent in the same period last year. Food and beverage inflation measured at 2.45 percent, while non-food and service inflation stood at 3.90 percent.

Notably, vegetable prices declined 5.24 percent year-on-year during the review period.

However, not all vegetables followed the downward trend. The wholesale prices of onions, green peas, bitter gourds, bottle gourds, and squash have increased significantly over the past month.

Onions saw a 10.64 percent increase in wholesale price, reaching Rs39 per kilogram, while retail prices shot up to Rs130–Rs140 per kilogram. Green peas jumped by 47.37 percent to Rs140 per kg wholesale.

Bitter gourd posted one of the sharpest gains among seasonal vegetables, climbing 80 percent to Rs45 per kg wholesale. In retail markets, bitter gourd now costs Rs120–130 per kilogram.

Bottle gourds rose 66.67 percent to Rs25 per kilogram in wholesale and Rs120–130 in retail. Squash also became costlier, with long squash prices increasing by 66.67 percent to Rs25 per kilogram and round squash prices increasing by 33.33 percent to Rs20 a kg.