Nepal’s Exports Surge by Rs 100 Billion in 11 Months

Nepal’s export volume has soared by over NPR 100 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2081/82 (mid-July 2024 to mid-June 2025), showing a remarkable growth of 77.77% compared to the same period last year.

According to data from the Department of Customs, Nepal exported goods worth NPR 247.57 billion during this period. In contrast, the export value stood at NPR 139.26 billion in the first 11 months of the previous fiscal year.

This marks a significant milestone since Nepal first crossed the NPR 200 billion export mark in fiscal year 2078/79 (2021/22). The surge in exports is largely attributed to the increased trade of edible oils, particularly refined soybean oil and sunflower oil.

Import-Export Ratio Shifting

The rise in exports has contributed to a relative decline in the share of imports in Nepal’s total foreign trade. In the current fiscal year, exports accounted for 13.08% of total foreign trade, up from 8.74% last year. Meanwhile, the share of imports dropped from 91.26% to 86.92%.

Top Imports Still Fuel-Dominated

Despite the increase in exports, Nepal’s import dependency remains high. The most imported items from mid-July 2024 to mid-June 2025 include:

• Diesel: NPR 115.55 billion
• Crude Soybean Oil: NPR 95.72 billion
• Petrol: NPR 58.58 billion
• LPG (cooking gas): NPR 57.36 billion

Crude edible oils like soybean, sunflower, and palm oil accounted for about 8% of the total import volume during this period.

Key Exported Products

The top exported products include:

• Refined Soybean Oil: NPR 93.51 billion
• Sunflower Seeds and Oil: NPR 11.33 billion
• Handmade Carpets: NPR 9.78 billion
• Large Cardamom: NPR 7.19 billion

Refined soybean oil alone contributed 37.77% of the total exports, making it the leading export product for Nepal this fiscal year. The export of refined sunflower oil has also significantly boosted overall export performance.

Nepal’s export sector is showing strong growth, with a notable reduction in the trade imbalance. The rise in refined edible oil exports, particularly soybean oil, has been a game-changer in the country’s foreign trade outlook.