Herb exports hit Rs. 460M in 8 months

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Nepalgunj, Apr. 2: Herbs worth more than Rs. 460 million have been exported through the Nepalgunj border, one of the major checkpoints in western Nepal, over the past eight months.

The Nepalgunj Customs Office stated that exports of medicinal herbs from this key trade route, considered one of the most important for such products in the country, have been increasing every year compared to previous years.

According to Information Officer Pabitra Kumar Khadka, a total of 1,420,290 kilograms of various types of herbs worth Rs. 461.305 million were exported through this border from mid-July to mid-February in the current fiscal year.

The customs office also informed that pine resin lumps (locally known as salla ko aankhla) have been exported for the first time through this checkpoint. During the eight-month period, 39,649 metric tonnes of pine resin worth Rs. 1.939 million were exported.

However, the Banke Herbal Entrepreneurs Association stated that exports of pine resin have remained low due to a 100 per cent export tax. Association Chairperson Tanka Prasad Sharma said that exports could increase significantly if the export tax was reduced.

According to the association, the most commonly exported herbs to India include timur (Sichuan pepper), kaulo, satuwa, bojho, cinnamon, and amala. Sharma added that around 85 per cent of Nepal’s herb exports are destined for India.