Nepal has imported 226.4 million kilograms of paddy worth Rs 8.68 billion through the Birgunj border in the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2024/25, marking a 72 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
In the previous fiscal year, Nepal imported 131.859 million kilograms of paddy worth Rs 4.91 billion through the same entry point. Amit Tiwari, information officer at the Birgunj Customs Office, confirmed the significant rise in paddy and rice imports.
Despite being an agricultural country, Nepal continues to rely on imports for staple grains. Alongside paddy, the country has also imported 13.37 million kilograms of rice worth Rs 1.35 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, up from 8.11 million kilograms worth Rs 1.06 billion in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, maize imports have declined slightly, with 57.71 million kilograms worth Rs 2.96 billion imported this year, compared to 66.49 million kilograms worth Rs 2.97 billion in the previous fiscal year.
The rising dependency on imported grains raises concerns about Nepal’s agricultural sustainability and food security, prompting discussions on the need for increased domestic production and policy interventions.
