I left New York for Kathmandu. Did the egg crisis follow me?
Summary
Egg prices have climbed sharply in Kathmandu amid a bird flu outbreak, echoing the crisis the writer left behind in New York. Unlike the U.S., Nepal has no clear law or standard governing how egg prices are set.
Key Points
- Egg prices in Kathmandu have risen four times in a month, reaching about Rs575 per crate.
- Bird flu has killed close to a million birds in Nepal since February, leaving supply far below demand.
- A consumer rights advocate says there is no law or standard controlling how egg prices are set, while officials only check whether producers’ announced prices are followed.
- The writer contrasts Nepal’s informal pricing system with New York’s antitrust enforcement and egg-related lawsuit.
