ILAM: The export of the cash crops as cardamom, tee and ginger which used to be exported a lot witnessed decline in the last fiscal year.

Decreased production and problems in export resulting in the decline in products’ sale to foreign countries, according to those observing agriculture sector.

As per the data produced by the Foreign Trade Promotion Center, the cash crops export decreased in 2076/77 as compared to the previous year.

However, the export of medicinal herbs was increased slightly, thereby contributing to income.

In 2076/77, Nepal exported 5.1 million kilograms of cardamom while it had exported 5.2 million kg in the previous year.

Central Secretary of Cardamom Entrepreneurs’ Federation, Matrika Ghimire, informed that the major reason behind the decline in export of the spice is unstable market and unfavorable commerce policy in addition to low products.

Similarly, 11 million kilograms of tea made foreign sale in 2076/77 BS while it was 15 million in the previous year. The decline was because of the dispute on tea quality and unreliable market in India for tea, it is said.

The income from tea export was Rs 3.782 billion in fiscal year 2075/76 and Rs 3.203 billion in fiscal 2076/77.

The drastic decline in tea ,m exports in one year’s time is because of dispute in the tea industry sector and the unreliability of the Indian market, tea entrepreneur and trader Udaya Chapagain said.

As Chapagain said other reasons for the decline in tea export is because the government has not been able to supply the fertilizer required for tea and due to the lockdown.

Likewise, the quantity and income of ginger which is exported in large volumes to India has declined by 14.9 per cent. Fourteen million 919 thousand 195 kilograms ginger was exported in fiscal year 2075/76 while only eight million 846 thousand 931 kilograms was exported in fiscal year 2076/77.