April 27: The prices of vegetables in Katimati Fruits and Vegetables Market has gone down significantly in the recent days. But the consumers have been paying exorbitant prices for vegetables in the retail shops.

According to the price list issued by the Katimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, prices of most of the vegetables have reduced by 75 to 80 percent in one month since the lockdown was first imposed on March 24.

This is due to the increase in domestic production of vegetables.

Likewise, most of the people have left the Kathmandu Valley and the hotels and restaurants are also closed due to which the demand for vegetables has dropped sharply. All these factors have resulted in reduction of prices of vegetables, according to Binay Shreshta, information officer at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market.

The prices of a variety of gourds has dropped by 66 percent, according to the list. Likewise, beans (80 percent), tomatoes (64 percent) and cauliflower (26 percent) have also witnessed significant reduction in prices.

Despite the significant decline in prices of vegetables in the wholesale market, consumers say they have not felt a drop in the prices of vegetables in the retail shops.

Cauliflower is available at a maximum price of Rs 25 per kilogram in Kalimati. However, the price of the same vegetable is between Rs 45 to Rs 50 at retail shops in Kirtipur, says Sanu Maiya Maharjan, a local of Kirtipur.

Likewise, onion imported from India is being sold at Rs 28 per kg at Kalimati but the same product is being sold at Rs 45 per kg elsewhere. Traders have been selling carrot at Rs 55 per kg in the retail market although it costs only Rs 30 per kg in the wholesale market.

It has been found that the retail shops have been charging the consumers high prices as per their wish, taking advantage of the lockdown.