Merchandise exports increase 88.6 percent from Mid-July to Mid-September of FY 2025/26

Kathmandu, Oct 15: During the two months of 2025/26, merchandise exports increased 88.6 percent to Rs 47.32 billion against a decrease of 5.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. 

This is stated in the report - Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal – published by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB). The report is based on two months' data ending Mid-September of Fiscal Year 2025/26.

Destination-wise, exports to India and other countries increased 139.9 percent and 0.4 percent respectively whereas exports to China decreased 58.5 percent. 

Exports of soyabean oil, palm oil, jute goods, cardamom and noodles among others increased whereas exports of zinc sheet, particle board, tea, woolen carpet and oil cakes among others decreased in the review period.

During the two months of 2025/26, merchandise imports increased 16.2 percent to Rs.305.16 billion compared to an increase of 1.1 percent a year ago. Destination-wise, imports from India, China, and other countries increased 8.0 percent, 25.1 percent, and 33.4 percent respectively. Imports of crude soyabean oil, chemical fertilizer, transport equipment, vehicle and spare parts, aircraft spareparts and telecommunication equipments and parts among others increased whereas imports of hot rolled sheet in coil, edible oil, readymade garments, oil seeds and garlic among others decreased in the review period, the NRB report stated.

Total trade deficit increased 8.6 percent to Rs.257.84 billion during the two months of 2025/26. Such a deficit had increased 1.8 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year. The export-import ratio increased to 15.5 percent in the review period from 9.6 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.

During the two months of 2025/26, merchandise imports from India against payment in convertible foreign currency amounted Rs. 27.75 billion. Such amount was Rs. 29.93 billion in the same period of the previous year.

As per the Broad Economic Categories (BEC), the final consumption, intermediate, and capital goods accounted for 69.3 percent, 29.9 percent, and 0.8 percent of the total exports respectively in the review period. 

In the same period of the previous year, the ratio of the final consumption, intermediate, and capital goods remained 45.6 percent, 53.2 percent, and 1.2 percent of total exports respectively.

On the imports side, the share of final consumption, intermediate, and capital goods remained 36.8 percent, 54.3 percent, and 8.9 percent in the review period. Such ratios were 41.8 percent, 49.7 percent, and 8.5 percent respectively in the same period of the previous year.

The y-o-y unit value export price index, based on customs data, and decreased 1.3 percent whereas the import price index increased 0.2 percent in the two months of 2025/26. The terms of trade (ToT) index decreased 1.5 percent in the review period.(RSS)