Kathmandu: Nepal’s exports surged by 95.75 percent in the first month (Shrawan) of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Department of Customs on Friday evening.
In total, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 23.93 billion, nearly double the Rs 12.22 billion exported in Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) last year. Imports, meanwhile, grew by 11.42 percent, reaching Rs 143.04 billion, up from Rs 128.37 billion a year earlier. The country’s total foreign trade stood at Rs 166.97 billion, leaving Nepal with a trade deficit of Rs 119.10 billion.
Like last year, edible oils continued to dominate Nepal’s export basket. Soybean oil was the top export, with 50.78 million kg worth Rs 10.69 billion shipped to India. Refined palm oil came second at Rs 671.2 million (3.76 million litres), followed by sunflower oil at Rs 651.4 million (3.49 million litres), both exported to India.
Carpets, a traditional Nepali product, ranked fourth, with 15,697 square metres worth Rs 551.8 million exported to the US. Other notable exports included polyester yarn, plywood, black tea, and large cardamom—most of them destined for India.
On the import side, raw soybean oil dominated with Rs 8.79 billion (580.77 million litres) brought in from Argentina. Other major imports included diesel worth Rs 5.88 billion, petrol worth Rs 5.77 billion, and cooking gas worth Rs 4.66 billion.
Nepal also imported mobile phones worth Rs 2.68 billion from China, gold worth Rs 1.52 billion, raw soybean oil worth Rs 1.47 billion from Brazil, rice worth Rs 1.40 billion from India, and aviation fuel worth Rs 1.28 billion from India.
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