Compared with a year ago, the prices have risen of coarse rice nationally by 12 per cent, wheat flour by 15 per cent, lentils by 10 per cent, and black-gram by 35 per cent, according to a report.
National food price inflation remains a significant concern, said the report jointly prepared by World Food Programme Nepal, MoAC (Department of Agriculture), Agribusiness Promotion and Marketing Development Directorate, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (Agricultural Enterprise Centre), and Consumer Interest Protection Forum (CIPF).
However, staple food prices -- including those of coarse rice and wheat -- rose slightly over the past month," it said. The Nepal Rastra Bank’s data for May also indicates that recent year-on-year food price inflation is over 14.6 per cent. High food prices are driving overall consumer price inflation, which is currently estimated at 10.8 per cent, according to the central bank data for the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
Similarly, a nation-wide strike called by the UCPN-Maoist on May 2-7 heavily restricted the opening of food markets and stopped virtually all food transportation.
"Through out the period of the strike, the closure of markets caused agitation among shop owners and local community members," the report said. "This led to a number of clashes, particularly in Humla, Dhankuta, Parbat, Birganj and towards the end of the strike in Kathmandu."Daily wage labourers interviewed by WFP staff during the bandh indicated that their families were skipping meals and commonly consuming only one proper meal a day to cope with loss of income, the report added.A high rate of households borrowed money and purchased food items on credit.
Meanwhile, a strong supply of chicken has resulted in price reductions in the range of 11 to 20 per cent in major urban markets and in the Tarai.
The report observes the food prices are likely to continue to rise until the completion of the winter harvest, expected to finish in most areas in the next month.
The harvest is expected to be normal and India is also expecting a strong crop. Wheat prices are expected to ease following the harvest. However, rice prices are anticipated to continue to increase until the summer harvest in late 2010.
However, staple food prices -- including those of coarse rice and wheat -- rose slightly over the past month," it said. The Nepal Rastra Bank’s data for May also indicates that recent year-on-year food price inflation is over 14.6 per cent. High food prices are driving overall consumer price inflation, which is currently estimated at 10.8 per cent, according to the central bank data for the first nine months of the current fiscal year.
Similarly, a nation-wide strike called by the UCPN-Maoist on May 2-7 heavily restricted the opening of food markets and stopped virtually all food transportation.
"Through out the period of the strike, the closure of markets caused agitation among shop owners and local community members," the report said. "This led to a number of clashes, particularly in Humla, Dhankuta, Parbat, Birganj and towards the end of the strike in Kathmandu."Daily wage labourers interviewed by WFP staff during the bandh indicated that their families were skipping meals and commonly consuming only one proper meal a day to cope with loss of income, the report added.A high rate of households borrowed money and purchased food items on credit.
Meanwhile, a strong supply of chicken has resulted in price reductions in the range of 11 to 20 per cent in major urban markets and in the Tarai.
The report observes the food prices are likely to continue to rise until the completion of the winter harvest, expected to finish in most areas in the next month.
The harvest is expected to be normal and India is also expecting a strong crop. Wheat prices are expected to ease following the harvest. However, rice prices are anticipated to continue to increase until the summer harvest in late 2010.
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