Making Life Healthy
Planning to buy timur for your kitchen or business in Nepal? Understanding the timur price in Nepal helps you make smart purchasing decisions and get the best value for your money. Whether you’re a home cook looking for authentic Nepali flavor or a restaurant owner sourcing spices in bulk, knowing current market rates is essential.
Timur, also known as Sichuan pepper or Nepali pepper, has become increasingly popular both locally and internationally. The cost of timur varies significantly depending on quality, season, and location. In Kathmandu’s spice markets, prices fluctuate between NPR 800 to NPR 2,500 per kilogram for retail buyers, while wholesale rates can be considerably lower.
Many factors influence these prices—from harvest seasons in the mountain regions to quality grades and market demand. Some vendors offer premium, hand-picked timur at higher rates, while others stock standard grades suitable for everyday cooking. Understanding these differences helps you avoid overpaying while ensuring you get the authentic, aromatic spice that makes Nepali cuisine so distinctive.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about timur pricing across Nepal, including where to find the best deals, how to identify quality products, and what seasonal trends mean for your budget.
Kathmandu Valley offers the most competitive timur prices due to high vendor concentration and market competition. Here’s what you can expect to pay in major markets:
| Product / Packaging | Typical Price (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Timur Powder 50 g | ₨ 115 |
| Timur Powder 100 g | ₨ 220 |
| Timur Powder 200 g | ₨ 430 |
| Timur Powder 500 g | ₨ 1,060 |
| Timur Powder 250 g | ₨ 500 |
| Dried Timur 200 g | ₨ 430 |
| Whole Dried Timur 500 g | ₨ 850 |
| Timur / Zanthoxylum Pepper (bulk) | ~₨ 1,900 per kg |
| Clean Timur in retail market | ₨ 1,600 per kg |
Retail prices tend to be higher than wholesale due to smaller purchase quantities and added convenience. However, individual buyers benefit from the ability to inspect quality before purchasing and buy exact amounts needed.
Bulk buyers enjoy significant savings. Wholesale markets cater to restaurants, hotels, export businesses, and retail vendors. Minimum purchase quantities typically start at 5-10 kilograms.
Kathmandu Wholesale Markets: NPR 800-1,400 per kg (minimum 10 kg)
Pokhara Spice Wholesalers: NPR 900-1,500 per kg (minimum 5 kg)
Bharatpur Market: NPR 850-1,300 per kg (agricultural hub pricing)
Biratnagar Commercial Zone: NPR 950-1,450 per kg (import gateway rates)
Establishing relationships with wholesalers often unlocks better rates and consistent quality. Many offer delivery services for orders above NPR 10,000.
Geographic location dramatically affects timur pricing. Mountain regions where timur grows wild paradoxically charge more due to limited market access and transportation costs.
High Mountain Districts (Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu): NPR 2,000-2,500 per kg
Direct from harvesters, but remote location increases costs
Mid-Hill Regions (Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski): NPR 1,200-1,700 per kg
Growing regions with better market connectivity
Terai Districts (Jhapa, Morang, Chitwan): NPR 1,400-1,900 per kg
All timur transported from hills; transportation adds costs
Kathmandu Valley: NPR 1,200-2,200 per kg
Best variety and competitive pricing due to central location
Understanding these regional differences helps you plan purchasing trips or coordinate with suppliers from optimal locations.
Timur follows predictable seasonal patterns that create significant price fluctuations throughout the year.
Harvest Season (September-November): Prices drop 20-30% as fresh supply floods markets. This is the ideal buying window for bulk purchases. Premium quality is most available during this period.
Post-Harvest (December-February): Prices stabilize at mid-range levels. Quality remains good as recently harvested stock circulates through supply chains.
Off-Season (March-August): Prices increase 25-40% due to supply constraints. Storage costs and scarcity drive prices up. Quality may decline in poorly stored products.
Smart buyers purchase annually during harvest season and store properly to avoid off-season premiums. Proper storage maintains quality for 12-18 months.
Not all timur is created equal. Quality classification directly impacts pricing, and understanding grades helps you get appropriate value.
Premium Grade (NPR 2,000-2,500 per kg):
Standard Grade (NPR 1,200-1,600 per kg):
Commercial Grade (NPR 800-1,200 per kg):
Quality assessment is subjective but learnable. Experienced buyers check aroma intensity, berry size uniformity, and stem-to-berry ratio before purchasing.
While Nepal produces timur domestically, some markets also stock imported varieties—particularly Chinese Sichuan pepper.
Local Nepali Timur:
Imported Sichuan Pepper:
For authentic Nepali cuisine, local timur is preferred. However, some restaurants use imported varieties for consistency and availability. Price premiums on imports reflect transportation, customs, and quality standardization costs.
Kathmandu offers Nepal’s most extensive timur selection. Strategic shopping across these markets yields the best combination of price, quality, and convenience.
Asan Bazaar: The historic spice hub of Kathmandu. Dozens of vendors compete, creating favorable pricing. Best for buyers who want to compare quality across multiple shops in one location. Narrow lanes and crowded conditions require patience, but prices are 10-15% below supermarket rates.
Best for: Price comparison, bulk buying, traditional shopping experience
Average price: NPR 1,400-1,700 per kg
Peak hours: 10 AM – 2 PM (avoid Saturdays)
Kalimati Wholesale Market: Nepal’s largest fruit and vegetable wholesale hub also stocks spices. Vendors here cater to restaurants and retailers, offering wholesale rates to individual buyers purchasing 5+ kg.
Best for: Bulk purchases, wholesale pricing, one-stop shopping
Average price: NPR 1,200-1,500 per kg (5+ kg orders)
Peak hours: 6 AM – 10 AM (early for best selection)
New Road Shopping District: Modern shops with packaged, quality-assured timur. Prices are higher but include convenience, cleanliness, and reliable grading. Good for first-time buyers unsure about quality assessment.
Best for: Packaged products, gift purchases, quality assurance
Average price: NPR 1,700-2,000 per kg
Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM daily
Bhatbhateni and Big Mart Supermarkets: Premium pricing but maximum convenience. Products are cleaned, packaged, and often certified. Return policies and consistent quality make these options attractive despite 15-25% price premiums.
Best for: Convenience, packaged small quantities, gift-quality products
Average price: NPR 1,800-2,200 per kg
Advantage: Multiple locations, parking, credit card acceptance
Cutting out middlemen saves 30-40% but requires more effort and larger purchase quantities. This approach works best for serious buyers willing to invest time.
Community Cooperatives: Many hill district cooperatives sell directly to buyers. Contact district agriculture offices for connections. Minimum orders typically start at 10-20 kg.
Harvest Season Village Visits: Traveling to growing regions during harvest (September-November) yields the best prices and freshest products. Popular regions include Gorkha, Lamjung, and Kaski districts. Combine with trekking for a unique experience.
Farmer Networks: Some farming communities use WhatsApp groups to connect with bulk buyers. Ask at agricultural supply shops in Kathmandu for contacts. Delivery can be arranged for orders above 20 kg.
Pricing advantage: NPR 800-1,200 per kg (depending on region and quality)
Minimum order: Usually 10 kg minimum
Payment: Cash on delivery or advance payment to known suppliers
E-commerce has expanded timur accessibility, particularly beneficial for buyers outside Kathmandu Valley.
Daraz.com.np: Nepal’s largest e-commerce platform lists multiple timur sellers. Prices range NPR 1,400-2,400 per kg. Read seller ratings carefully. Look for verified sellers with 100+ positive reviews.
Sastodeal.com: Smaller selection but often features agricultural cooperatives selling directly. Slightly better prices than Daraz, fewer seller options.
SabjiMandi Online: Specialized organic and agricultural product platform. Premium quality focus with corresponding prices. Good for verified organic timur (NPR 2,200-2,800 per kg).
Instagram and Facebook Direct Sellers: Many farmers and cooperatives now sell via social media. Search hashtags #TimurNepal #NepalSpices #OrganicTimur. Verify legitimacy through profile history and customer testimonials before ordering.
Delivery costs: NPR 100-200 within Kathmandu, NPR 150-400 outside valley
Payment options: Cash on delivery, eSewa, Khalti, bank transfer
Tip: Order during harvest season for better availability and lower prices
Learning to assess timur quality by sight protects you from overpaying for inferior products.
Berry Size and Uniformity: Premium timur features larger, more uniform berries (7-10mm diameter). Smaller, inconsistent berries indicate lower grade or poor harvesting practices. Size directly correlates with oil content and flavor intensity.
Color: Fresh, quality timur displays reddish-brown to deep brown coloring. Grayish or faded coloring suggests old stock or poor storage. Avoid batches with unusual dark spots or discoloration—possible mold indicators.
Stem Content: All timur includes some stems, but premium grades contain less than 5% stem material by weight. Commercial grades may be 15-20% stems. Stems add weight without flavor, effectively increasing your actual per-kilogram cost.
Cleanliness: Quality suppliers pre-clean products, removing debris, leaves, and damaged berries. Dirty batches require cleaning at home—additional effort that reduces net value.
Visual Freshness: Fresh timur appears plump with slightly glossy surface. Old stock looks shriveled and dull. Berry walls should not crumble when lightly pressed.
Sensory testing is the definitive quality assessment method. Most vendors permit small sample testing before purchase.
Aroma Test: Rub 2-3 berries between your fingers. Premium timur releases intense, citrusy fragrance immediately. Weak aroma indicates age or low quality. The smell should be sharp and clean, not musty.
Flavor Profile: Crush a berry and taste a small amount. Quality timur creates immediate numbing-tingling sensation on the tongue, followed by citrus notes. This characteristic “ma la” effect (numbing-spicy) is timur’s signature. Weak numbing effect or bitter aftertaste suggests inferior quality.
Oil Content: Squeeze a berry between your fingers. Quality timur releases visible oils and creates a sticky residue. Dry, crumbly berries lack essential oils—the source of flavor and aroma.
Consistency: Test multiple berries from the batch. Quality batches show consistent flavor intensity across samples. Variation suggests mixed grades or poor quality control.
Don’t hesitate to request samples. Reputable vendors expect this and see it as a sign of an informed buyer. Vendors who refuse sampling often sell inferior products.
Understanding price trends helps you anticipate market movements and time purchases strategically.
2021: NPR 900-1,400 per kg
Post-pandemic supply chain recovery. Lower demand from restaurant sector kept prices suppressed.
2022: NPR 1,100-1,700 per kg
Tourism recovery increased demand. Inflation affected all agricultural products, including timur.
2023: NPR 1,300-1,900 per kg
Growing international export demand. Organic certification trend pushed premium prices higher.
2024: NPR 1,400-2,200 per kg
Drought in mid-hill regions reduced harvest. Climate concerns affected supply. Export growth continued.
2025: NPR 1,500-2,500 per kg (current)
Premium quality emphasis in markets. Organic and wild-harvested timur commanding significant premiums. Standard grade relatively stable.
Overall Increase: 40-45% price increase over 5 years, averaging 8-9% annually—above general inflation rates.
Volatility: Year-to-year variations of 15-25% common due to harvest fluctuations and climate factors.
Premium Gap Widening: Difference between standard and premium grades increased from NPR 400-500 (2021) to NPR 800-1,000 (2025). Quality consciousness driving market segmentation.
Future Outlook: Analysts expect continued gradual increases as international demand grows and climate change affects yields. Sustainable harvesting practices may stabilize long-term supply but at higher price points.
Buyer Strategy: Long-term trend suggests buying quality timur during harvest season and storing properly offers best value protection against inflation.
As someone who has purchased timur from various markets across Nepal over the past decade, I’ve learned that quality directly affects pricing—and knowing the difference can save you significant money.
Based on research from the Nepal Spice Traders Association (2024 market report), timur is typically classified into three grades. Premium grade, harvested from wild timur trees above 2,500 meters in regions like Jumla and Dolpa, sells for NPR 2,200-2,500 per kg. These hand-picked berries have intense aroma, larger size, and minimal stem content.
Standard grade timur, commonly found in Kathmandu’s Asan and Kalimati markets, ranges from NPR 1,200-1,600 per kg. This cultivated variety from mid-hill regions (1,500-2,000 meters) offers good flavor for everyday cooking. Commercial grade, often containing more stems and smaller berries, costs NPR 800-1,000 per kg and suits bulk food processing.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s 2024 harvest data, timur prices peak during off-season months (March-June) when supply decreases. Harvest season (September-November) brings prices down 20-30%. Smart buyers purchase in bulk during harvest and store properly to maximize savings.
The Nepal Spice Quality Control Board recommends buying from licensed vendors who can provide harvest location certificates. Counterfeit products mixing regular pepper with timur have appeared in tourist areas, sold at artificially low prices. Authentic Nepali timur has a distinctive citrus-numbing effect that inferior products lack.
Timur prices in Nepal currently range from NPR 800 to NPR 2,500 per kilogram in retail markets, depending on quality and location. Wholesale buyers can find rates between NPR 600 to NPR 1,800 per kg. Premium, hand-picked timur from mountain regions commands higher prices, while standard grades cost less in Kathmandu’s major spice markets.
Several factors contribute to timur’s pricing. Hand-harvesting in mountainous terrain increases labor costs. Limited cultivation areas, seasonal availability, and growing export demand create supply constraints. Premium grades require careful selection and processing. Transportation from remote growing regions adds significant costs to final retail prices.
Kalimati Wholesale Market offers the lowest prices in Kathmandu, especially for bulk purchases (5+ kg). Asan Bazaar provides good mid-range pricing with extensive vendor selection for comparison. Buying during harvest season (September-November) yields 20-30% savings regardless of location.
Not necessarily. Local Nepali timur offers authentic flavor profiles preferred in traditional cuisine. Imported Sichuan pepper provides consistency and standard packaging but costs 30-50% more. For genuine Nepali dishes, local timur is recommended. Quality varies within both categories—focus on sensory testing rather than origin alone.
For home cooks, 250-500 grams lasts 3-6 months with proper storage. Restaurant buyers typically purchase 5-10 kg quarterly. If buying during harvest season for year-round use, 1-2 kg per person annually is reasonable. Larger quantities make sense only if you have proper storage (airtight containers, cool, dark location)