With a curfew imposed since Monday afternoon following violent riots that killed over 30 people, the supply of essential goods such as vegetables, fruits, fuel, and dairy products has been severely affected in the Kathmandu valley, traders said.

The curfew has now been extended until Friday.

The state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) said that while it has sufficient stock of petroleum products, distribution has been disrupted due to security concerns.

“We have enough stock, but we are worried about security while transporting fuel to petrol pumps. Tanker operators have said they will not deliver unless they are assured of safety,” said Manoj Kumar Thakur, deputy director of the corporation.

Unless banks resume full operations and security is guaranteed, the supply of petroleum products will remain uncertain, he said.

According to the corporation, demand for petroleum products has dropped since vehicular movement across the country has largely been halted, leaving stocks adequate.

On Wednesday, NOC supplied 112 kilolitres of petrol and 46 kilolitres of diesel to Kathmandu pumps.

Customs offices also were attacked by protesters, leaving tankers carrying petroleum products from India stranded at border points.

The corporation said its Thankot depot still holds nearly 80 percent of stock, with 40 petrol and 50 diesel tankers parked inside. The Amalekhgunj depot is also fully stocked, and cross-border supply has not been disrupted. Kathmandu’s demand is primarily met through Amalekhgunj.

The corporation urged consumers not to hoard petroleum products, stressing that supply and storage remain sufficient.

Meanwhile, the NOC office at Teku was burnt down, along with several vehicles in its compound. Protesters also torched papers and computers at its Babarmahal office, which had only come into operation a month ago.

The vegetable supply chain has been disrupted too.

With movement restricted, demand has plunged as people cannot visit markets, and large buyers such as supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, schools, and offices remain shut.

“We have not updated the daily price list of fruits and vegetables since Wednesday because our Kalimati office was attacked by protesters. Supply is minimal, and markets are closing early,” said Binay Shrestha, information officer at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board.

The Kalimati market shut down before 6 am on Wednesday, and on Thursday also closed quickly due to low supply. Prices have not risen significantly, Shrestha said.

Traders have been selling leftover stock, with some vegetables disposed of as they began to rot amid market closures.

Dairy producers are also supplying less to Kathmandu due to weak demand, as retail shops remain shuttered.

“With hotels and restaurants closed and retail outlets shut since Monday, dairy products are not selling,” said Prahlad Dahal, president of the Nepal Dairy Association.

The association has not been able to distribute milk in the Valley under the curfew.

“If the situation does not improve and we cannot supply to the market, then we will also be unable to collect milk from farmers. This could lead to delayed or unpaid dues to farmers, especially with the festive season approaching,” Dahal said.

“Usually, ahead of Dashain, we collect extra from big buyers like hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets such as Bhat-Bhateni. But with the market in disarray and uncertainty in the system, we don’t know how to pay back farmers this year,” he added.

Retailers, however, said there is no food shortage and prices have not spiked.

“Wholesalers have sufficient stock. The problem is the curfew, which has disrupted transport to retail shops,” said Amul Kaji Tuladhar, general secretary of the Nepal Retailers Association. Retailers usually keep only limited inventory, so the flow of goods has been interrupted.

Tuladhar added that prices of food items remain stable but stressed that strict market inspections are necessary during such a situation to prevent sudden hikes.

Consumer rights advocates also called for swift normalisation of market activities as festivals draw near.

“We are going through an uncertain time, and like other sectors, the market is struggling. The government must restore normalcy for a smooth flow of goods,” said Prem Lal Maharjan, president of the National Consumer Forum.

With Dashain approaching, demand will soon rise sharply. Ensuring security and balancing supply and demand will be crucial, he said.

Maharjan added that with many Bhat-Bhateni outlets destroyed, state-owned suppliers such as Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company should step in to make essential goods available at reasonable prices.

He also suggested allowing home delivery services so that consumers do not face shortages during the prolonged crisis.