Nepal’s import trade reached its highest level in seven months during Magh (mid-January to mid-February) of the current fiscal year, largely driven by increased economic activity surrounding the elections.
According to the Department of Customs, goods worth Rs 184 billion were imported in Magh alone.
Overall, imports during the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2025/26 rose by 13.65 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports increased from Rs 988 billion in the previous fiscal year to Rs 1.123 trillion this year.
Monthly import figures show fluctuating but generally rising trends:
- Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August): Rs 143 billion
- Bhadau (mid-August to mid-September): Rs 162.11 billion
- Ashoj (mid-September to mid-October): Rs 162.92 billion
- Kartik (mid-October to mid-November): Rs 141 billion
- Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December): Rs 157 billion
- Poush (mid-December to mid-January): Rs 173 billion
- Magh (mid-January to mid-February): Rs 184 billion
Exports also recorded notable growth of 32.19 percent during the review period. By the end of Magh, total exports reached Rs 168.14 billion, up from Rs 127 billion in the corresponding seven months last year.
Despite the rise in exports, the import-export ratio declined from 7.77 percent to 6.68 percent, reflecting continued imbalance in trade. As imports significantly outpaced exports, the trade deficit widened by 10.91 percent over the seven months, reaching Rs 955 billion compared to Rs 861 billion in the same period last year.
