Bharat Khatiwada, president of Kalimati Vegetable Wholesalers´ Association, it will still take time for the market to come into full operation as the loss is huge and the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Board has just submitted its report to the ministry.[break]
The transaction volume in the market has gone down by almost half after the fire wreaked havoc as the 24-hour market currently operates from 6am to 2pm only because of ongoing renovation works.
Though the market opens for limited time, vegetables supply has improved in recent days. The market receives 500 to 700 tons daily and due to lack of proper storage facility after the destruction, traders are forced to sell vegetables at cheaper price.
“Neighboring districts are supplying vegetables in sufficient quantity. We have no option than selling at cheaper price as vegetables are perishable and we have no proper storage facility,” said Geeta Prasad, a wholesaler at the market.
Some seasonable vegetables have become cheaper also because the supply is higher than the market demand. Prices of seasonal vegetables like cauliflower, brinjal, French bean, pointed gourd, bitter gourd and tomato, among others have gone down by Rs 2-14 per kg over the period of a week.
Price of cauliflower has gone down by Rs 2 per kg and is currently selling for Rs 18 per kg, price of brinjal has gone down by Rs 8 per kg and now costs Rs 40 per kg, French beans which were available at Rs 46 per kg now costs Rs 38 per kg.
Similarly, the price of pointed gourd has come down from last week´s Rs 60 per kg to Rs 46 per kg and tomato that was selling at Rs 45 per kg is now available at Rs 38 per kg.