8th May 2021, Kathmandu
The turnover at Kalimati Vegetable Market, the largest vegetable market in the Kathmandu Valley, has dropped by 50% after the government issued a ban on Covid-19 in Valley.
Prior to the ban, only 950 metric tonnes of vegetables were imported daily. However, only 400 to 500 metric tonnes of vegetables are currently arriving at the Kalimati fruit and vegetable market.
The market, which usually has an economic turnover of Rs 20 to 30 million, has seen a decrease in vegetable turnover due to a drop in vegetable sales and purchases.
Normally, when there is a shortage of vegetables, the market price rises. But this time the price has fallen due to a decrease in the number of customers purchasing vegetables. In the vegetable market, the number of wholesale buyers and retailers has decreased by half.
According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, the business has slowed after the government prohibited the public from walking and established a set time for buying and selling vegetables.
According to Arjun Prasad Aryal, the committee’s assistant executive director, the business has dropped by nearly half since the ban was imposed.
He said that usually, 950 metric tonnes of green vegetables will arrive, but that this has now been reduced to 400 to 500 metric tonnes.
At the moment, the Kalimati vegetable market is made up of 60% Nepali and 40% Indian items. Nepal produces seasonal vegetables such as bodi, bean, ghiroula, and gourd, while India imports fish, lemon, potato, and onion.
In collaboration with the locals, the committee has made plans to bring vegetables to Kalimati at any time. However, the hours for purchasing and selling are from 1 am-9 am.
Farmers and businessmen used to carry vegetables to Kalimati Bazaar as early as 3 am. Farmers and business owners have expanded the nighttime buying and selling hours. But traders have reported that the vegetables are not arriving on time.