Vegetables rotten and priced too high: Wholesalers

The vegetable wholesalers from Thimphu were in for a disappointment. They had gathered at the auction yard of Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) in Phuentsholing, yesterday, so that they could buy and supply the vegetables to Thimphu. But, most of the vegetables were rotten and priced too high, they said.

Fourteen vegetable wholesalers from Thimphu had agreed to supply vegetables and fruits from the FCB in Phuentsholing.

“We ordered many items but most of them were missing,” said a vegetable wholesaler, Tashi Wangchuk. Others said the vegetables were starting to emit foul smell. “By the time we take it to Thimphu, it will rot and we won’t even get the price we have paid here,” said Tashi Wangchuk.  Some said they could just get five percent of what they ordered.

The Deputy General Manager of Phuentsholing’s FCB, Sangay Wangdi, said they had made it clear to the wholesalers that they can select the vegetables, verify the quality and take the better ones. When it comes to the price, Sangay Wangdi said, they have not included any extra cost.

“We have just included the direct cost which we also cannot avoid, for example transportation, grading, packaging and nominal service charge.”

The officials said some items which were ordered could not be procured as it was not available in India. About 70 metric tons of vegetables and fruits were brought from the market in India.

Reactions

Loads of rotten fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes, were dumped outside the centenary farmers market in Thimphu. Many vegetable vendors, BBS spoke to said, the FCB in Phuentsholing supplied them spoiled vegetables. “This is a huge lose,” they said. They also said, the vegetable price, the FCB has charged is exorbitant.

The Opposition Leader, Tshering Tobgay, said to identify the Food Corporation of Bhutan, as the sole vegetable importer was a wrong move by the government.

“BAFRA and the FCB will take stock of the spoiled vegetables,” said the agriculture and forests minister, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho. He said the vendors should place orders a little early and not at the last moment. He also said the vegetable vendors have placed excess order. “It is not much of concern to the general public as there are enough local produce in the market.”

Top Stories

Related Stories

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent Comments

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube