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The gap between wholesale and retail prices of vegetables has been widening, with consumers bearing the brunt of weak market monitoring and inspection.

Market insiders say the government has failed in its responsibility—particularly of regulating markets—allowing middlemen and retailers to rake in profits. While wholesale prices at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market have fallen for most vegetables, retail prices have refused to come down proportionately.

For instance, the wholesale price of local and Tarai cabbage at Kalimati has dropped by around 40 percent. On Friday, local cabbage was priced at Rs40 per kg and Tarai cabbage at Rs30 per kg. In retail markets, however, cabbage was selling for Rs90 to Rs100 per kg—more than double the wholesale rate.

Likewise, wholesale prices of local and Tarai cauliflower declined by 12.86 percent and 16.67 percent to Rs61 per kg and Rs50 per kg, respectively. In retail outlets, cauliflower costs between Rs160 and Rs170 per kg.

Eggplant prices at the wholesale level declined by 13.15 percent to Rs55 per kg and by 9.43 percent to Rs60 per kg. Yet consumers have to cough up Rs110 to Rs120 per kg in retail markets.