KATHMANDU: Nepal’s foreign trade stood at Rs 166.97 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Department of Customs.
The country imported goods worth Rs 143.04 billion while exports amounted to Rs 23.93 billion, leaving Nepal with a trade deficit of Rs 119.10 billion.
Compared to the same period last fiscal year, imports rose by 11.42 percent and exports surged by a sharp 95.75 percent.
During the review month, imports from neighboring India stood at Rs 83.53 billion while exports totaled Rs 19.45 billion, resulting in a deficit of Rs 64.08 billion.
From China, imports were valued at Rs 27.99 billion against exports of just Rs 54.8 million, creating a deficit of Rs 27.941 billion.
Meanwhile, Nepal enjoyed trade surpluses with countries including Germany, Afghanistan, the United States, Russia, Belgium, and Norway.
Petroleum products topped the import chart. Nepal imported petrol worth Rs 5.77 billion, diesel worth Rs 5.88 billion, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) worth Rs 4.66 billion.
Other significant imports included crude soybean oil (Rs 10.80 billion), smartphones (Rs 3.41 billion), motorcycles (Rs 1.74 billion), iron products (Rs 3.07 billion), and gold (Rs 1.52 billion).
Soybean oil continued to dominate Nepal’s exports, with Rs 10.69 billion worth exported in the month. Other notable exports included plywood, fruit juice, yarn, carpets, and large cardamom.
Comment