BANKE: Herb exports from Nepalganj, the primary gateway for herb exports, have surpassed Rs 700 million over a period of nine months.

Despite encountering numerous challenges, the Nepal Herb Traders Association reports that herb exports totaling over Rs 700 million took place from July to March of the current fiscal year.

Tank Prasad Sharma, President of the Nepal Herb Traders Association, attributes this accomplishment to the persistence of traders in overcoming obstacles both domestically and internationally.

Sharma highlights the complexities of India’s herb import process and the Nepali government’s ambiguous policies as contributing factors to the decline in herb exports in recent years.

However, he expresses optimism for a resurgence in exports beginning this year.

According to Nepalgunj Customs Office, by the end of March 2023/24, 2,805,839 kilograms of various herbs worth Rs 700,961,000 had been exported, indicating a positive trend compared to the previous fiscal year.

Nepalgunj serves as a vital transit point for storing and exporting herbs from hilly districts, including Karnali Province, with popular exports including Timmur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Ritha (Sapindus mukorossi), and Kaulo (Machilus odoratissima).

These herbs, used in the production of medicine, soap, and shampoo, are not only exported to India but also to third countries like Germany and Bangladesh, according to the Nepal Herb Traders Association.

Despite the demand for Nepali herbs, traders face ongoing challenges during the export process, necessitating concerted efforts to address these issues, concludes Sharma.