Fruit imports increasing, worth Rs. 3.8 billion imported in first quarter of current fiscal year

By Laxman Kafle

Kathmandu, Nov. 6: Despite suitable climate, comparative advantages, expanding markets for fresh fruits and processed products, the growth of fruit production has remained slow in the country.

Due to low production against growing consumption, the country is spending billions of rupees for the import of fruits to meet the national demand.

According to the latest trade statistics of the Department of Customs, fruits worth more than Rs. 3.83 billion have been imported during the first three months of the current fiscal year 2022/23.

 The import of apples is significantly higher compared to other fruits.

Nepalis have spent more than Rs. 2 billion for apple import alone in the first three months of the current fiscal year.

About 30.447 million kg of apples worth Rs. 2.24 billion have been imported during the review period. From that, the government has also collected revenue equal to Rs. 280 million.

Apples worth Rs. 1.49 billion have been imported from India alone while worth Rs. 757 million have been imported from China.

Apples grow in various places in the northern Himalayan region of Nepal. The climate is also suitable for growing juicy apples. 

The apples produced by the farmers of Manang, Mustang, Jumla, Mugu and other districts have been unable to find the market.

But the country is spending billions of rupees for the consumption of the same fruit.

Even if the buyers reach out, producers are forced to sell cheaply in the production season. The people who grow juicy, tasty apples that can be grown in the country and have a good market have gone abroad in search of employment.

The country has not been able to become self-sufficient in apples because the government agencies have not paid proper attention to it. Although there is a huge potential to grow apples worth billions within the country and sell them abroad, the prospects have not been met.

Similarly, pomegranate worth Rs. 297 million, lemon worth Rs. 170 million and orange Rs. 148 million have been imported.

The government has collected revenue of Rs. 37 million in the import of pomegranates, Rs. 21 million in the import of lemons and Rs. 15 million in the import of oranges during the review period.

The country imported bananas worth Rs. 162.3 million during the first three months. According to the Department, around 11.307 million kg of bananas have been imported from India alone during the review period.

From that, the government has collected revenue of Rs. 70 million.

According to the statistics, pineapples worth Rs. 79 million, avocados worth Rs. 14 million and watermelons worth Rs. 110 million have been imported.

During the review period, the country imported kiwi fruits worth Rs. 29 million and guavas and mangoes worth Rs. 187.4 million.

Even though the import of fruits has been increasing over the years, the import has slightly declined during the first three months of the current fiscal year. Fruits worth Rs. 4.58 billion were imported during the first three months of the fiscal year 2021/22.

Fruits worth Rs. 17.46 billion had been imported during the fiscal year 2021/22.

Similarly, the country had spent Rs. 16.52 billion for the import of fruits in the fiscal year 2020/21 and Rs. 14.90 billion in the fiscal year 2019/20.