Kathmandu, Nepal: Sugar prices in Nepal have skyrocketed to Rs 140 per kilogram, up from Rs 105 just two weeks ago, due to a combination of factors including black marketing and a potential export ban by India, reported The Annapurna Express.
The Department of Commerce, in response to alleged black marketing activities, has taken action by sealing the largest sugar warehouse in Kathmandu. This warehouse was operated by Griheshwori Tradelink and had been storing sugar with unclear labelling.
Anandraj Pokhrel, an information officer at the department, confirmed the closure of the warehouse and said that the sugar had been sent for quality testing.
A complaint was lodged with the department, accusing owner Santosh Khetan of acquiring sugar at a lower price from industries and then selling it at a higher rate in Kathmandu without proper invoices. Khetan was reportedly billing the sugar at only Rs 105 per kilogram after selling it at a wholesale price of Rs 127 per kilogram.
Pokharel stated, “The report submitted by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control indicates that the sugar’s quality is not in question. However, due to the absence of packaging details, we have sent a letter to the producers requesting clarification.”
