Kathmandu, Dec. 1 -- Hira Bricks Industry, Lalitpur has been planning to delay firing the kiln until mid-January, two months later than usual. The delay is due to the rocketing international coal prices caused, first, by the Covid pandemic and then by the Russia-Ukraine war, which started last February.

"In two years, coal prices have increased three-fold," Bishnu Maharjan, the factory proprietor, told the Post. "Prices have doubled in the past year. This year no coal dealer has approached us to learn of our requirements."

Coal is the primary fuel used by the Nepali brick industry and the black stuff is imported from India. Due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and the war, coal prices have increased significantly, entr...