Kathmandu, Jan. 31 -- Scores of protests, strikes and policy changes that disrupted supply chains pushed food prices sharply higher in the first four months of the current fiscal year, with some items rising as much as eight times, according to a government report.

The Price Analysis Report published by the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection in December shows that, with some exceptions, prices of almost all food items were unstable and largely trended upward during the review period. Prices of rice, lentils, meat and meat products continued to climb.

"The prices of vegetables, fruits and food items have increased significantly compared to the producer price due to the involvement of middlemen," the report said.

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