Kathmandu. There is currently an extreme shortage of bananas in the Nepali market. Such a situation has been created in the market after the businessmen themselves boycotted the bananas coming in illegally through the Indian border. Traders have banned the sale of bananas, saying that domestic production is very poor and illegal bananas are harmful to public health.

Amar Baniyan, president of Nepal Fruit Wholesalers Association, said that the increase in prices in the market was not artificial but due to the contraction in supply. He informed that until a few months ago, there was no shortage in the market due to the importation of large quantities of illegal bananas from India, but the supply suddenly decreased after the ban on the sale and distribution of such bananas on the initiative of the association. He says that Nepal's own production is negligible and after the ban on bananas imported from India, there is a shortage and price increase in the market

According to President Baniyan, due to the lack of quality bananas, consumers are forced to pay Rs 300 to 350 per unit in some places. He clarified that the market has become more expensive, especially when five-star hotels and restaurants are ready to pay any price for quality bananas. He admitted that due to lack of grading, packaging and quality, Nepalese products could not meet the demand.