Nepal orange prices increase 200% due to middlemen
Locals said that middlemen had been visiting orange groves and buying the entire crop in advance. This has allowed them to set their own prices for the fruits.
“This is the harvest season, and normally fruits become cheaper during this time,” said a local consumer Nilhari Dahal.
Sindhuli is the key pocket area for sweet oranges. The fruit is harvested during the December-January period. Consumers said that middlemen buy sweet oranges and when they reach the market, the price increases three to fourfold.
“Farmers work hard but the benefit goes to the middlemen,” said Dahal. “We have to pay Rs12 apiece when buying sweet oranges from retailers. It would be acceptable if farmers made more money, but middlemen have been pocketing the markup.”
source: kathmandupost.ekantipur.com
