Prices of essential commodities up

Prices of essential commodities up
Republica, 6-Feb-10

The prices of major essential commodities have skyrocketed in the market in a month´s period. Consumers have faced a sharp rise in prices of staple food items such as pulses, sugar and edible oil over the period.

According to retailers, the price of sunflower oil soared to Rs 100 from Rs 90 per liter recorded a month ago. Likewise, mustard oil became dearer by Rs 15 over the period. Mustard oil is selling for Rs 105 per liter in the market.

Nirajan Neupane, owner of Kusheshwar Cold Store in Ghattekulo, said the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed in the market as wholesalers are raising the prices every other day.

“The price of sugar has increased to Rs 90 from Rs 80 per kg. Likewise, iodized salt has become dearer by Rs 4 to Rs 15 per kg over the period,” Neupane added.

Prices of popular rice varieties such as Sona Mansuli, Jira Masino and Mansuli steam have also increased over the period by Rs 5 to Rs 15 per kg.

“Price of Mansuli rice has increased to Rs 45 per kg from Rs 30 recorded a month ago. Similarly, price of Jira Masino rice increased to Rs 56 from Rs 48 and Mansuli steam increased from Rs 35 to Rs 40 kg,” Neupane added.

The price of lentils, another popular food commodity, also saw a sharp rise over the period. Price of Rahar Dal increased to Rs 140 from Rs 130 while Musuro Dal became dearer by Rs 5 to Rs 105 per kg.

According to Nepal Retailers´ Association, price of Mung Dal too increased by Rs 10 to Rs 140 per kg over the period.

Ganga KC of New Khadya Store in Baneshwar said consumers were facing sharp rise in prices of essential commodities due to haphazard price rise by the wholesalers.

“Price of Mas Dal increased by Rs 25 to Rs 130 per kg over the period. There have been minor fluctuations in prices of all major commodities over the period,” he added.