Fruits worth Rs. 6 billion imported, share of apple stands 49 per cent

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 4: Fruits worth Rs. 6.03 billion have been imported during the first four months of the current fiscal year 2024/25.

According to trade statistics of the Department of Customs, the country has imported fruits, including bananas, apples, guavas, mangoes, oranges, grapes, papaya and pomegranates, among others worth Rs. 6.03 billion during the review period of the current fiscal year.

The statistics showed that the import of fruits during the review period is almost equal to the imports compared to same period last fiscal year. 

The fruits worth Rs. 6.2 billion had been brought into the country during the first four months of the last fiscal year 2023/24.

Similarly, the country had spent Rs. 19.57 billion for the import of fruits in the fiscal year 2023/24 and Rs. 16.16 billion in the fiscal year 2022/23.

Highest apples worth Rs. 2.95 billion imported

Among the fruits imported, apple imports were the highest during the review period. The share of apples in the total fruits import stood at 49 per cent.

According to the Department, about 29.5 million kg of apples worth Rs. 2.95 billion were imported during the first four months of the current fiscal year. From that, the government has collected revenue equal to Rs. 590 million.

Even though the import of apples recorded the highest amount, its import has reduced during the review period as compared to same period last fiscal year. 

About 33.34 million kg of apples worth Rs. 3.26 billion were imported during the first four months of the last fiscal year 2023/24. 

Most of the apples came from China, followed by India during the review period.

Around 19.1 million kg of apples worth Rs. 2.19 billion have been imported from China while 9.7 million kg worth Rs. 762 million were imported from India. Similarly, 25 kg of apples have been imported from Bhutan.

The country has imported banana worth Rs. 614 million during the first four months of the current fiscal year. 

According to the statistics, around 14.73 million kg of banana worth Rs. 614 million has been imported during the review period.  

The import of banana has increased during the review period as compared to same period last fiscal year. 

About 13.6 million kg of banana worth Rs. 574 million had been imported during the first four months of last fiscal year.

Similarly, around 5.88 million kg of oranges worth Rs. 420 million have been imported during the review period. The import of orange has decreased slightly during the review period as compared to same period last fiscal year. 

The country had imported 6.5 million kg of oranges worth Rs. 459 million during the first four months of the last fiscal year.Likewise, pomegranates worth Rs. 314 million, grapes worth Rs. 236 million, mangoes worth Rs. 241 million, lemons worth Rs. 146 million have been imported.

The country imported watermelons worth Rs. 81 million, kiwis worth Rs. 132 million, papayas worth Rs. 109 million and pears worth Rs. 161 million during the review period.