Kathmandu – Nepal’s foreign trade saw significant growth in the first month of the current Fiscal Year (FY), with both imports and exports rising, according to the Department of Customs (DoC).
Imports grew by 11.42 percent, reaching Rs 143 billion in July, up from Rs 128.37 billion in the same period last year. The increase came despite border disruptions, as the Rasuwagadhi crossing with China has been closed since July 8, and the Tatopani border remained shut for three weeks during the month.
Exports recorded a much sharper rise, surging by 95.75 percent to Rs 23.93 billion in July, compared to Rs 12.22 billion a year earlier.
Soybean Oil Dominates Exports
Soybean oil continued to be Nepal’s leading export, contributing nearly 45 percent of total exports. The country shipped 57.8 million kilograms of the product worth Rs 10.69 billion in the first month of FY.
Carpets ranked second among top export items, generating Rs 820.5 million, followed by refined palm oil, jute goods, and cardamom. However, none came close to soybean oil’s dominant share.
