Essential food prices surge ahead of Dashain, squeezing household budgets
Summary
Prices of essential food items and household goods have surged ahead of Dashain, putting added pressure on families, fixed-income earners and daily wage workers. Food inflation has accelerated, with ghee, oil, fruit, meat, vegetables and other staples all becoming significantly more expensive over the past year.
Key Points
- Food and beverage inflation reached 6.77 percent in mid-August, with sharp rises in ghee and oil, fruit, meat and fish, and vegetables.
- Rising fuel costs, weak supply chains and poor enforcement of consumer protection rules are adding to price pressures.
- Staples such as mutton, chicken, eggs, sugar, rice and cooking oil have all become noticeably more expensive than a year ago.
- Household goods including televisions, refrigerators, smartphones and footwear have also risen in price ahead of the festive season.
