The retail prices of several vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, broad mustard leaf, coriander and hybrid cucumber, fluctuated by as much as 200 percent in the one-month period between mid-January and mid-February, just weeks before the elections.

According to the monthly price analysis report of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, the prices of several vegetables changed sharply during the review period despite no major market disruptions and relatively normal demand and supply conditions.

The report said the retail price of local cauliflower surged as much as 200 percent, rising to Rs90 per kg from Rs30 per kg, in a month.

The department compiled the data based on the average of the minimum and maximum retail prices recorded every Sunday at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market between mid-January and mid-February.

The price of broccoli also fluctuated sharply, increasing by 144.18 percent to Rs105 per kg from Rs43 per kg during the review period, according to the report.

Similarly, the price of broad mustard leaf rose by 125 percent to Rs45 per kg from Rs20 per kg. The retail price of coriander increased by 112.5 percent to Rs85 per kg from Rs40 per kg, while hybrid cucumber prices climbed by 109.3 percent to Rs90 per kg from Rs43 per kg.

Vegetable traders said the prices of winter vegetables remained high during the review period due to last year’s delayed monsoon, which disrupted planting schedules.

“Vegetable production was affected by rainfall in September and October, which resulted in higher prices of seasonal vegetables such as cauliflower this season,” said Binay Shrestha, information officer at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board. “However, prices of most vegetables have started falling in recent days as demand has declined with many people leaving the city to vote in the election.”

Winter vegetables are nearing the end of their harvest season, while vegetables produced during the spring season are expected to start arriving in markets from April.

The retail prices of tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, beans and several other vegetables also showed upward fluctuations during the review period. Despite the significant swings, the report said the overall impact of the price changes was assessed as normal to medium.

The price of large Nepali tomatoes increased by Rs20 per kg to reach Rs100 per kg from Rs80 per kg within a month. Similarly, the price of small tunnel-grown tomatoes rose by Rs52 per kg to Rs90 per kg from Rs38 per kg.

According to the report, the price of locally produced carrots rose Rs20 per kg to Rs65 per kg from Rs45 per kg. Cabbage prices increased by Rs11 per kg, reaching Rs65 per kg from Rs54 per kg during the review period.

The price of round eggplant climbed Rs30 per kg to Rs85 per kg from Rs55 per kg. Green peas increased by Rs20 per kg to Rs75 per kg from Rs55 per kg, while the price of locally produced French beans rose Rs40 per kg to Rs150 per kg from Rs110 per kg.

Similarly, the price of green beans (rajma) increased by Rs35 per kg to Rs120 per kg from Rs85 per kg over the month.

Bottle gourd prices rose Rs22 per kg to Rs85 per kg from Rs63 per kg, while chayote prices increased by Rs20 per kg to Rs85 per kg from Rs65 per kg.

The price of okra also changed significantly during the period, rising Rs45 per kg to Rs155 per kg from Rs110 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price of button mushrooms increased by Rs80 per kg to Rs425 per kg from Rs345 per kg during the month.

Green chilli (round) prices also went up Rs25 per kg to Rs135 per kg from Rs110 per kg.

Normally, the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market receives around 700 tonnes of vegetables daily. However, arrivals were lower during the review period, averaging 597 tonnes in the third week of February compared to 682 tonnes in early January.