KATHMANDU, Aug 14:
Prices of popular dry fruits have seen a hefty rise in the last nine months, thanks to supply constraints and high import price.
Jujubhai Shrestha, a wholesaler of dry fruits and spices at Makhantol, said prices of dry fruits such as black cardamom, dried grapes, cashew nut, date fruit, cardamom and pistachio have seen significant price rise over the period.
Price of dried grapes has increased to Rs 170 per kg from Rs 120. Similarly, black cardamom is selling for as much as Rs 3,000 kg, up from Rs 1,000 per kg recorded nine months ago. Cardamom is also selling higher at Rs 1,600 per kg from Rs 200 per kg. Prices of other dry fruits like cashew nut, pistachio, coconut and almond have increased in the range of Rs 60 to Rs 300 per kg, according to Shrestha.
“Dry fruits have become dearer in the domestic market due to soaring import costs and irregular supplies,” Shrestha said, adding that low domestic production and political instability were the other factors behind high price rise.
Nepal imports dry fruits from countries like US, India, China, Brazil, Pakistan and Iran, according to the traders.
“Dry fruits are expensive in the countries from where we import. Besides, custom charges and high transportation costs make them even costlier,” said Shiva Kuwar, a supplier of dry fruits based in Makhantol. He also said price of locally produced products like betel nuts is also high in the market because there is a great demand for betel nuts produced here.
Traders, however, said the demand for dry fruits has not come down despite high prices in the market. “The demand for dry fruits is growing because they are one of the most have commodities during festivals,” Shrestha added.
He further added that the demand will keep on increasing also because dry fruits are good for health. “Dry fruits like cashew nut, California nut, pistachio and dried grapes, among others are important for a healthy living. Demand for these fruits will keep on growing,” Shrestha added.
Published originally in Republica (2010-08-15 18:48:21) Read from original Source.
Prices of popular dry fruits have seen a hefty rise in the last nine months, thanks to supply constraints and high import price.
Jujubhai Shrestha, a wholesaler of dry fruits and spices at Makhantol, said prices of dry fruits such as black cardamom, dried grapes, cashew nut, date fruit, cardamom and pistachio have seen significant price rise over the period.
Price of dried grapes has increased to Rs 170 per kg from Rs 120. Similarly, black cardamom is selling for as much as Rs 3,000 kg, up from Rs 1,000 per kg recorded nine months ago. Cardamom is also selling higher at Rs 1,600 per kg from Rs 200 per kg. Prices of other dry fruits like cashew nut, pistachio, coconut and almond have increased in the range of Rs 60 to Rs 300 per kg, according to Shrestha.
“Dry fruits have become dearer in the domestic market due to soaring import costs and irregular supplies,” Shrestha said, adding that low domestic production and political instability were the other factors behind high price rise.
Nepal imports dry fruits from countries like US, India, China, Brazil, Pakistan and Iran, according to the traders.
“Dry fruits are expensive in the countries from where we import. Besides, custom charges and high transportation costs make them even costlier,” said Shiva Kuwar, a supplier of dry fruits based in Makhantol. He also said price of locally produced products like betel nuts is also high in the market because there is a great demand for betel nuts produced here.
Traders, however, said the demand for dry fruits has not come down despite high prices in the market. “The demand for dry fruits is growing because they are one of the most have commodities during festivals,” Shrestha added.
He further added that the demand will keep on increasing also because dry fruits are good for health. “Dry fruits like cashew nut, California nut, pistachio and dried grapes, among others are important for a healthy living. Demand for these fruits will keep on growing,” Shrestha added.
Published originally in Republica (2010-08-15 18:48:21) Read from original Source.
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