Kathmandu, Nepal - Recent

Continuous rainfall in many regions across Nepal triggered natural disasters such as floods, mudslides and landslides, damage to farmlands and roads, which further resulted in a shortage in vegetable market supply.

At the largest vegetable and fruit wholesale market in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, the prices of many vegetables popular with local people have skyrocketed, especially locally grown cherry tomatoes and larger tomato varieties. Prices for these have increased fourfold compared to a month ago.

Hari Thapa, a vegetable wholesale seller who has been selling vegetables at the wholesale market with his father since childhood, said that the price of locally grown tomatoes in Nepal has recently reached the highest level in over 30 years.

Due to the growing cycle of vegetables, vendors generally believe that prices won't drop in the short term, and their businesses will continue to be affected.

Shotlist:
Kathmandu, Nepal - Recent:
1. Various of vegetables, people shopping at market;
2. SOUNDBITE (Nepali) Hari Thapa, vegetable wholesale seller:
"Recently, there has been a shortage of goods in the market. Tomatoes haven't been harvested due to the rain, and the vegetable greenhouses around the Kathmandu Valley have been flooded. Farmland in other regions has also been affected by continuous rain, which has impacted tomato crops. As a result, fewer products are reaching the market, and prices have naturally increased.";
3. Vegetables, people shopping at market;
4. Man taking notes at vegetable stand;
5. Sarmira Manandra, vegetable retailer, working;
6. SOUNDBITE (Nepali) Sarmira Manandra, vegetable retailer:
"I don't think the prices will go up any further, but they also won't go down. Since this season has already ended, there won't be any adjustments for now. It will take four to five months for the new season's planting and harvesting, so prices will likely remain the same during this period.";
7. Various of vegetables.

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