Nepal imports rice and paddy worth nearly Rs 1.8 billion in a month

Nepal imported a substantial volume of rice and paddy, totaling nearly 25,000 tonnes and valued at approximately 1.8 billion Nepalese rupees, during the first month of the current fiscal year (Shrawan). Data from the Department of Customs reveals that these imports, equivalent to 24.94 million kilograms, mark a notable decline from the previous fiscal year.

In the corresponding month of the last fiscal year, Nepal imported over 57,000 tonnes of rice and paddy, costing 2.93 billion rupees. The current figures show a reduction in both the quantity of imports and the financial expenditure. This suggests a potential shift in domestic supply or demand dynamics within Nepal.

The majority of Nepal's rice and paddy imports originated from neighboring India. Specifically, 11,852 tonnes of rice worth 833.32 million rupees were imported, almost entirely from India, with a minuscule amount from Italy. Basmati rice also constituted a significant portion, with 4,125 tonnes imported from India valued at 568.59 million rupees.

Beyond milled rice, Nepal also imported unmilled paddy and broken rice. In the first month of the fiscal year, 8,628 tonnes of paddy worth 365.02 million rupees were sourced from India. Additionally, 332 tonnes of broken rice, valued at 13.31 million rupees, were imported, also exclusively from India. Smaller quantities of brown rice and paddy seeds were imported from Thailand and China, alongside India.