June 1: Exports of dairy products have jumped 465 percent in the first ten months of the current fiscal year (2020/21). 
According to the data of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the exports of dairy products have surged 465 percent in 10 months of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. 
Nepal exported dairy products worth Rs 65.6 million this year up from Rs 11.65 million in last year. 
Imports of dairy products are still higher than exports. However, the imports have also declined in the review period.
According to the board, the imports of dairy products fell 14.25 percent. The country imported dairy products worth Rs 1.69 billion, down from Rs 1.45 billion. 
Dr. Balak Chaudhary, Technical Director at the NDDB, said that the surge in the export of ghee (clarified butter) to Japan has increased the total export receipt from dairy products. The clarified butter exports to Japan rose by 11,115 kg in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year as compared to the same period of last year. This is the highest quantity of clarified butter that Nepal has exported,  he said. 

According to Chaudhary, Japan is becoming a major market for Nepali dairy products thanks to Nepali doing dairy businesses in Japan. 

Milk collection limited to 50%
The collection of milk has been limited to 50 percent due to the prohibitory orders imposed in various parts of the country. Organizing a press conference organized on the eve of World Milk Day, the National Dairy Development Board said that the milk collection in the formal sector declined by 50 percent due to the prohibitory orders imposed by the government to control the Covid-19. Speaking at the press meet, Radha Krishna Sapkota, President of the Nepal Dairy Association, said that the dairy sector, which contributes to nearly 9 percent to the country's gross domestic product, is facing various problems due to the pandemic. According to him, dairy businesses have only 41,000 metric tons of powdered milk and 25,000 metric tons of butter in their stock.