Tomatoes worth 580 million imported from India in 10 months

KATHMANDU, June 19: Tomatoes worth 580 million rupees have been imported from India during 10 months of the current fiscal year 2079/80. According to the statistics from Customs Department, the tomatoes were imported from the month of Shrawan to Baisakh.

According to the statistics, three categories of tomatoes were imported during the 10-month period. The statistics also show that 31 million kilograms of tomatoes were imported during this period.

Nepal has been importing tomatoes non-stop from India even during the production season. The months of Jestha, Ashadh and Shrawan are considered the tomato production season in Nepal. 

However, domestic productions are not getting the market as tomatoes are imported from India without restrictions. Farmers are not even getting the price of 2 rupees per kg from their production. The wholesale price of tomatoes is 8 rupees per kg, but the consumers are paying up to 40 rupees for the tomatoes.