Consumer inflation softens to 3.62 per cent

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, April 2: The consumer inflation softened to 3.62 per cent on y-o-y basis in the mid-March 2026. 

In the same period of the previous fiscal year (FY), the inflation was recorded 3.75 per cent a year ago.

According to Nepal Rastra Bank report published today, the food and beverages inflation hit 3.60 per cent which is slightly higher than 3.34 per cent recorded a year ago.

Meanwhile, the inflation of non-food and service slight ease to 3.63 per cent as of mid-March which was recorded 3.97 per cent a year ago.

The gross foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs. 3413.77 billion which is sufficient to cover the prospective merchandise and services imports of 18.5 months.

The current account and balance of payments remained at a surplus of Rs 552.85 billion and Rs 658.35 billion respectively.

The remittances increased by 37.7 percent to Rs 188.64 billion as of mid-March.

Nepal government’s expenditure amounted to Rs 926.59 billion and revenue mobilization amounted to Rs 747.28 billion. 

The deposits at the Bank and Financial Institutions (BFIs) increased by 6.6 per cent and private sector credit increased by 4.4 per cent. 

The weighted average deposit rate of commercial banks stood at 3.45 per cent and lending rate stood at 6.9 per cent.