Madhesh Food Prices Jump 1.69% While Non-Food Inflation Stays High at 4.67%

The latest CPI data highlights a concerning trend in Madhesh Province, where households are facing rising costs both in food and non-food categories. Overall inflation in Madhesh stood at 1.86% year-on-year, higher than the national average of 1.68%, signaling persistent price pressures.

Food and beverage prices increased by 1.69%, showing that everyday essentials like cereals, pulses, vegetables, and milk products have become more expensive. While this rise is moderate compared to previous months, it directly impacts household consumption, especially in a province where a significant share of income is spent on food.

Non-food and services inflation remained elevated at 4.67%, continuing to weigh heavily on family budgets. Education costs, housing, healthcare, and clothing are the primary drivers of this inflation, making it difficult for households to balance rising expenses. The rural-urban divide is also evident: rural Madhesh recorded even higher non-food inflation at 6.91%, compared to 4.00% in urban areas. Meanwhile, rural food inflation stood at 1.82%, reflecting greater vulnerability to supply chain challenges and rising transport costs.

This dual burden of food price hikes and high non-food inflation has made Madhesh one of the more inflation-stressed provinces in Nepal. Policymakers must focus on stabilizing food supply channels and addressing structural issues in service sectors to protect vulnerable households from further financial strain.