Exports Surge 77.51 Percent in First Four Months of Current FY

Nepal’s merchandise exports jumped by 77.51 percent in the first four months of the current fiscal year (FY 2025/26), compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Customs.

Data released by the department on Sunday show that Nepal exported goods worth Rs 93.49 billion from mid-July to mid-November, up from Rs 52.67 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Total foreign trade in the first four months stood at Rs 702.94 billion, with imports amounting to Rs 609.45 billion.

Foreign trade increased by 24.18 percent year-on-year.

The surge in exports was driven mainly by soybean oil, palm oil, carpets, felt products, cardamom and juice products. Nepal exported soybean oil worth Rs 38.43 billion in the first four months, while importing crude soybean oil worth Rs 30.87 billion during the same period. The country also exported Rs 2.06 billion worth of palm oil and Rs 2.73 billion worth of sunflower oil.

Exports of mixed juice reached Rs 1.54 billion, and plywood exports totaled Rs 1.10 billion.

In contrast, exports of cement and clinker declined.

Smartphone imports rose during the review period. Nepal imported 943,826 smartphones worth Rs 16.15 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, up from 827,925 units worth Rs 13.40 billion in the same period last year.

Imports of four-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs) decreased compared to last year. Nepal imported 3,203 EVs from mid-July to mid-November, slightly down from 3,487 units in the corresponding period last year. The department attributed the drop to disruptions at the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points with China following floods and landslides, which hindered transport.