Yam supply surges for Maghe Sankranti

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 13: With Maghe Sankranti approaching on Thursday, the supply of root vegetables—especially yam, sweet potatoes and cocoyam—has surged across markets in the Kathmandu Valley, driven by festive demand.

Vegetable markets and shops are well stocked with traditional roots that hold cultural and religious significance during the festival, traders said.

Consumers have also crowded markets since Monday to buy yams of their choice, a staple food eaten during Maghe Sankranti.

Traditionally, yams are boiled on the last day of Poush and eaten the following morning with ghee, chaku and sakkhar. People consume different varieties either boiled or prepared with condiments to mark the festival.

Various yam varieties, including Hattipaile, Ban Tarul, Seto Ghar Tarul, Pani Tarul, Patale Tarul and Simal Tarul, are currently available in the market.

The supply of yam has been increasing at the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market over the past few days, said Binaya Shrestha, information officer at the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Board (KFVMDB).

According to him, around 110 to 170 tonnes of yam have been supplied daily to the Kathmandu Valley over the past three days from districts such as Sarlahi, Morang, Dolakha, Palpa, Dhading, Ilam, Dhankuta, Kavrepalanchowk and various Tarai districts.

Data from the KFVMDB show that 114 tonnes of yam entered the Kalimati wholesale market on Monday, while around 177 tonnes entered on Sunday and 147 tonnes on Saturday.

Similarly, around 49 tonnes of sweet potatoes and 16 tonnes of cocoyam were supplied on Monday, while 55 tonnes of sweet potatoes and 27 tonnes of cocoyam entered the market on Sunday.

Around 1,161 tonnes of yam have entered the Kalimati market so far in the Nepali month of Poush, while around 566 tonnes of sweet potatoes and 226 tonnes of cocoyam have been supplied during the month.

Of the total yam supply, the highest volume has come from Sarlahi district. Around 561 tonnes—nearly 50 per cent of the total supply—have arrived at Kalimati from Sarlahi during the month of Poush. 

Similarly, around 100 tonnes of yam were supplied from Sunsari, 90 tonnes from Morang and 67 tonnes from Dhading.

Likewise, around 97 tonnes of yam were imported from India during the month of Poush.

According to Bhagawan Chandra Upreti, a trader at the Kalimati market, prices of root vegetables, including yam, cocoyam and sweet potatoes, have been rising with growing demand.

He said wholesale prices of yam currently range from Rs. 70 to Rs. 150 per kg. Similarly, the wholesale price of cocoyam is Rs. 90 per kg, while sweet potatoes are selling at Rs. 72 per kg.

The price of yam has increased by almost 60 per cent within a week. Average price of yam reached Rs. 105 per kg on Monday while it was Rs. 65 a week ago.“The Patale, Ban Tarul and Hattipaile varieties are being sold at over Rs. 150 per kg, making them the most expensive yams in the market,” he said. In contrast, yams supplied from Sarlahi district are selling at around Rs. 70 per kg, the lowest price in the wholesale market.

However, he said that prices of yam, sweet potatoes and cocoyam are almost double in the retail market.