Amidst record price hikes in the country, India has initiated the import of tomatoes from Nepal, while Nepal has requested the Indian government to send rice and sugar.
To boost domestic supply and control soaring prices, India’s ban on the export of non-basmati rice has led to price increases in Nepal. In response, Nepal has formally appealed to the Indian government to grant concessions and lift the ban on shipments of grains and sugar to Nepal to alleviate the situation in the upcoming festive season.
According to reports in the Nepali media, Nepal’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies officials have stated country has requested India to provide one million tonnes of paddy, 1,00,000 tonnes of rice, and 50,000 tonnes of sugar.
Ramchandra Tiwari, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, explained that they had made the request to the Indian government for the supply of grains and sugar through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prem Lal Maharjan, the President of Nepal’s National Consumers Forum, stated, “If the government delays in importing rice, wheat, and sugar, the black marketers will again raise prices.”
