Nepal imported gold worth Rs 21.20 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, even as prices of the precious metal reached record highs almost daily.
Data from the Department of Customs (DoC) show that between mid-July 2025 and mid-February 2026, gold imports doubled compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, when imports totaled Rs 10.45 billion. During the review period, gold prices climbed to an all-time high of Rs 339,000 per tola.
Silver imports also saw a sharp increase, rising fourfold over the same period. According to the DoC, silver imports jumped to Rs 8.46 billion from Rs 2.75 billion, as domestic prices reached a record Rs 7,300 per tola.
Crude soybean oil remained the country’s largest import item during the first seven months, with imports valued at Rs 70.99 billion. Diesel ranked second at Rs 69.91 billion, followed by petrol at Rs 38.13 billion. Cooking gas placed fourth, with imports worth Rs 31.85 billion.
Nepal also imported sponge iron (raw material) worth Rs 31.09 billion and smartphones valued at Rs 26.68 billion. Gold ranked seventh among the top import items. Meanwhile, DAP fertilizer imports amounted to Rs 20.85 billion, while other fertilizers totaled Rs 19.69 billion.
Iron and steel plates secured the tenth position among the largest imports, with purchases reaching Rs 16.70 billion during the review period.
Overall, total imports increased by 13.65 percent in the first seven months of FY 2025/26 compared to the same period last year. Imports rose from Rs 988 billion to Rs 1.123 trillion. Notably, imports totaled Rs 184 billion in the single month between mid-January and mid-February.
Exports also recorded growth of 32.19 percent during the seven-month period, reaching Rs 168.14 billion, up from Rs 127 billion last year.
However, the significant gap between imports and exports widened the country’s trade deficit by 10.91 percent, pushing it to Rs 955 billion from Rs 861 billion.
