Mangoes become cheaper, apples become dearer

KATHMANDU, JUN 26 - Sweet times are here as mango prices plunge to new lows bringing cheer to the faces of fruit lovers. Mangoes now cost Rs 40-45 per kg in the wholesale market compared to Rs 60-65 per kg two weeks ago, said traders. Shipments are arriving by the tonne in the Kathmandu valley pushing down prices.

Supply has swelled to 70-80 tonnes daily from 40-50 tonnes two weeks ago.

“We are receiving plenty of mangoes from Siraha, Sarlahi, Sunsari, Kapilvastu, Morang, Mahottari, Jhapa and other districts in the Tarai. Prices have fallen around 25 percent as a result,” said a trader.

However, apples have become dearer in Kathmandu with prices jumping 36 percent in a week due to reduced supply.

Apples are being sold for Rs 150 per kg in the wholesale market against Rs 110 per kg a week ago. Retail prices have reached as high as Rs 200 per kg from Rs 160 per kg previously.

Traders have attributed the rise in prices to reduced shipments from China which supplies more than 90 percent of Nepal’s apple imports.

According to the Nepal Fruits Wholesalers Association (NFWA), they have not received any shipments for two days. “The domestic market has been facing a shortage of apples since two days,” said Amar Baniya, president of the association.

According to the association, only two truckloads of apples arrived on Tuesday. “Fresh shipments of apples have stopped, and the stock held in various warehouses are being sold in the market which will run out in a few days.”

Rajendra Sapkota, a fruit retailer at Tinkune, said he went to nine wholesalers at the Kuleshwor market to get two cartons of apples. “I finally got them by paying Rs 1,950 per carton when they used to cost Rs 1,200 before,” he added.

“We have been informed that apple crops in China have been badly affected leading to shortages in the market.”

Baniya said that prices would start falling from mid-July when Indian apples reach the market. “There will be plenty of apples from Simla for around three months and prices also will come down,” said Baniya.

Due to reduced shipments from China, traders have been importing the fruit from distant sources like Australian, the US and Chile that are highly expensive. Australian apples are being sold at Rs 280 per kg in the wholesale market.

Similarly, American apples cost Rs 300 per kg wholesale. “There is no option but to buy expensive apples,” said Baniya of the  association.