MUSTANG: A total of 543 tonnes of fruit have been imported from China through the Korala border crossing over the past 11 days, according to the Quarantine Office in Nhechung, Lomanthang-4, Mustang.
Bandana Ghartimagar, a technical assistant at the office, said the influx of Chinese fruit followed heavy rainfall and snowfall. The imports included 87.3 tonnes of apples, 16.1 tonnes of mangoes and 8.316 tonnes of dragon fruit.
However, the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road has remained completely blocked due to adverse weather conditions, disrupting the transportation of imported goods to their destinations.
The prolonged disruption has raised concerns about the spoilage of perishable fruits, many of which have remained stranded in containers.
Meanwhile, some dragon fruit from a stranded container was distributed to local residents in Jomsom on Thursday to prevent further losses.
Subas Sunuwar, a representative of the company importing the fruit, said the dragon fruit, valued at around Rs 2.4 million, was distributed to locals to prevent it from rotting.
He added that the transportation delays had also resulted in estimated losses of Rs 3 million.
The continued road blockage has disrupted the movement of imported goods through the Korala border, highlighting the challenges of transporting perishable commodities when key road links are cut off by adverse weather.
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