Kathmandu: Nepal’s Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has released its market price analysis report for the month of Baisakh in the current fiscal year 2082/83, showing a modest rise in the prices of essential food items such as rice, pulses, and legumes compared to the previous month.
According to the report, fluctuations in petroleum prices and changes in the US dollar exchange rate increased transportation costs, contributing to higher market prices across the country.
The department said it would intensify efforts to control inflation and prevent abnormal price hikes by strictly enforcing consumer protection laws and regulations. Authorities also pledged to strengthen market monitoring, ensure mandatory labelling of maximum retail prices (MRP) on products, adopt a zero-tolerance policy against syndicates, cartels, and black marketing, and reduce the role of middlemen in supply chains to improve direct access between producers and consumers.
Data collected from six major cities — Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, and Kathmandu — showed significant variation in food prices across different regions.
Among rice varieties, basmati rice was the most expensive in Kathmandu at an average price of Rs 190 per kilogram, while the same variety cost around Rs 163 in Birgunj and Dhangadhi. Similarly, Sona Mansuli rice was available for Rs 64 per kilogram in Birgunj but reached Rs 95 in Kathmandu.
Pulse and legume prices also varied considerably. Black gram was priced between Rs 177 and Rs 207 per kilogram, while pigeon pea lentils climbed as high as Rs 225 per kilogram in Kathmandu and Dhangadhi. Rajma beans showed one of the widest price gaps, selling for Rs 170 per kilogram in Biratnagar and as much as Rs 300 in Kathmandu.
Cooking oil and dairy products also remained expensive. Mustard oil prices ranged between Rs 274 and Rs 360 per litre, while ghee prices varied from Rs 1,110 to Rs 1,330 per kilogram.
The report also highlighted sharp fluctuations in vegetable and fruit prices during the month.
According to data from the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Board, prices of locally produced broad beans surged by 334.79 percent, rising from a minimum of Rs 23 to as high as Rs 100 per kilogram. Long beans recorded a 250 percent increase, with prices reaching Rs 105, while bottle gourd prices climbed 165 percent to Rs 53 per kilogram.
Fruit prices also remained elevated, with bananas selling between Rs 90 and Rs 220 per dozen, while apples ranged from Rs 200 to Rs 355 per kilogram.
Meat and fish prices stayed high nationwide. Goat meat was priced between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200 per kilogram, broiler chicken ranged from Rs 366 to Rs 470 per kilogram, and locally sourced fish sold between Rs 400 and Rs 525 per kilogram.
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