NEPAL NEWS

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s dependence on food imports has been increasing of late. In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, Nepal has imported paddy and rice worth Rs 28 billion.

According to data from the Department of Customs, Nepal imported paddy and rice worth Rs 27.948 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. The data also shows that the import rate has been continuously increasing.

During this period, more than 384.8 million kilograms of paddy worth Rs 14.14 billion was imported, while 123.9 million kilograms of rice worth Rs 7.915 billion was imported. Additionally, more than 51.9 million kilograms of basmati rice worth Rs 5.843 billion was imported.

Until mid-February, imports had already reached Rs 25.12 billion, and in the month of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) alone, additional imports worth more than Rs 2.5 billion were recorded.

Published Date: March 23, 2026