Mar 26, Kathmandu:  The price of food in the market has increased rapidly. Due to Corona etc., the price of most of the consumer goods in the market has increased rapidly.

It has been 4 years since the corona epidemic spread globally. However, its direct impact is still present. Corona epidemic has increased prices worldwide. In the last year, along with Covid, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has made consumers even more upset. The prices of most of consumer goods have increased from 50 percent to 100 percent in 4 years due to the increase in global prices.

Before Corona, most food prices were normal. However, due to the corona epidemic, when there is a problem in supply and demand, the prices of most items have increased rapidly, said by businessmen. If we look at this year's data compared to before Corona, it is found that the prices of most of the items have increased rapidly.

According to the data provided by the Nepal Retail Trade Association, the prices of rice, pulses, oil, pulses, and spices have increased significantly. General Secretary of Nepal Retail Trade Association Amulkaji Tuladhar said that the price of food grains has doubled compared to before Corona. According to him, the price of oil is a little lower this year compared to last year, but the price of other food items is increasing day by day.

Rice is one of the staple foods that has unexpectedly increased in the market. The price of rice, which was between 1500 and 1700 rupees per bag before Corona, has now reached 2200 to 2600 rupees. In the Nepali market, the price of Trishuli Pokhareli rice was 85 rupees per kg in March 2076, but now it has increased to 105 rupees.

Similarly, in Chait 2020 AD, consumers could buy steamed cumin milled rice at 70 rupees, long grain basmati rice at 135 rupees, and steamed gold rice at 60 rupees. The price of that rice has reached 90 rupees, 170 rupees, and 65 rupees per kg respectively.

The data from Nepal Rastra Bank also shows that consumer inflation is high. In February 2076, consumer inflation was 6.70 percent. In March 2019 AD, consumer inflation was 4.20 percent. In February 2076, the inflation of the food and beverages group was 9.33 percent and the inflation of the non-food and services group was 4.69 percent.

However, inflation reached 7.88 percent in January of the current financial year. In which the inflation of the food and beverage group is 6.19 percent and the inflation of the non-food and service group is 9.22 percent.

60 Percent Increase In Oil Prices

The price of oil, which is a must-have in the kitchen, has increased by 60 percent compared to before Corona. Before Corona, the price of soybean oil was 150 rupees per liter. Now the price of the same oil has reached 225 rupees.

Similarly, before Corona, the price of sunflower oil was Rs 160 per liter and now it is Rs 235, raw mustard oil was Rs 170 and now it is Rs 350, roasted raw mustard oil was Rs 400 and now it is Rs 400 and Dalda ghee which was Rs 140 is now Rs 215.

A Rapid Increase In Price of Pulses

Along with rice and oil, the price of pulses has also increased. In  Marh-April 2020 AD, consumers could buy mass dal at 160 rupees per kg, but now it has increased to 190 rupees.

Similarly, in the spring of 2076, mung khosta was 150 rupees per kg and now it is 170 rupees. Moong khosta of 150 rupees has now reached 170 rupees. Lentils worth Rs 130 are Rs 170, Moong Geda is Rs 160 and Moong Chata-1 is Rs 210 and Rs 190.

Mass chata, which was 160 rupees per kg before Corona, now costs 180 rupees, and Nepali radar dal, which was 150 rupees, now has to pay 210 rupees.

Soybean prices rose by 100 percent

Among the pulses, the price of soybean has increased the most. According to the data, the price of soybean has increased up to 86 percent. Consumers could buy black soybeans for 150 rupees per kg in Chait 2076. However, now it has reached 280 rupees.

Similarly, before Corona, the price of white soybeans was 100 rupees per kg, but now it has reached 160 rupees. The price of brown soybeans, which was Rs 10 in  April-march 2020 AD, has now reached Rs 175. The prices of other pulses have also increased significantly. The price of white bananas has also increased by 100 percent.

Not only food but most of the flour and flour available in the market have also increased in price. The prices of corn flour, millet flour, rice flour, flour, and semolina have also increased. There has been a high increase in the prices of flour and flour, which are consumed the most in the market.

Cumin rose by Rs 300 per kg

The association said that along with food, the price of spices has also increased. The price of cumin, which is widely used in the kitchen, has now increased by 300 rupees per kg compared to before Corona. In  April-March 2020 AD, the price of cumin was Rs 400 per kg, but now it has reached Rs 700.Similarly, in March-April 2020 AD the price of coriander was Rs 200 per kg, while fenugreek is now Rs 310 and Rs 140 per kg. The price of jawano is being bought and sold at 400 rupees.