Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Cement exports plunged by 80.5% in volume during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, while export earnings fell by a comparatively smaller 34.8%.
According to Department of Customs (DoC) data, Nepal exported 62,029 tons of cement worth Rs 419.27 million in the first three months of fiscal year 2026/27. In the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, the country had exported 318,763 tons worth Rs 643.32 million.
The figures show that although cement shipments fell by more than four-fifths, export earnings declined by just over one-third. Consequently, the average export value per ton increased from around Rs 2,018 in the first quarter of 2025/26 to approximately Rs 6,759 in the same period of the current fiscal year.
The sharp increase in average export value suggests a change in the composition of cement exports or improved prices in export markets. One possible explanation is an increase in the share of relatively expensive Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) compared with lower-priced Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC).
However, since the DoC does not maintain separate export records based on cement varieties, it is difficult to establish whether the change reflects a shift in product mix or higher prices.
In fiscal year 2025/26, Nepal exported 923,376 tons of cement worth Rs 2.03 billion, compared with 356,473 tons worth Rs 2.21 billion in 2024/25.
Cement export volume increased by 566,903 tons, or around 159%, in 2025/26. However, earnings fell by Rs 183.3 million, or 8.3%.
The average export value per ton fell from approximately Rs 6,223 in 2024/25 to Rs 2,199 in 2025/26, a decline of nearly 65%.
Cement exports have experienced considerable fluctuations over the past few years. Industry people say this is largely due to quality certification issues in India, which consumes all of Nepal’s cement exports.
In fiscal year 2023/24, the country exported 2.33 million tons of cement worth Rs 1.97 billion. Exports dropped sharply to 356,473 tons in 2024/25 before recovering to 923,376 tonnes in 2025/26.
Unlike finished cement, clinker exports have recorded growth in both volume and earnings.
Nepal exported 561,126 tons of clinker worth Rs 797.83 million in fiscal year 2025/26, compared with 490,272 tons worth Rs 697.38 million in the previous fiscal year.
Clinker export volume increased by 70,854 tons, or 14.5%, while earnings rose by Rs 100.45 million, or 14.4 percent.
The first-quarter figures for the current fiscal year also show an increase in clinker export earnings. Nepal exported clinker worth Rs 173.04 million in the first quarter, compared with Rs 151.63 million in the same period of 2025/26.
