Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s trade deficit widened by 6% in fiscal year 2024/25, Rs 1527,09 billion.
According to foreign trade data released by the Department of Customs on Tuesday, the trade deficit widened despite an impressive 81.8% export growth, largely due to the low export volume. The country’s trade deficit stood at Rs 1,440.6 billion in 2023/24.
Nepal exported goods worth Rs 277.03 billion in 2024/25, up from Rs 152.38 billion in the previous fiscal year. Imports, on the other hand, increased by 13.25% to Rs 1,804.12 billion. In the previous fiscal year, the country’s total imports had reached Rs 1,440.60 billion.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s total foreign trade expanded by 19.24% over the year to reach Rs 2.081.15 billion. The size of foreign trade was Rs 1,745.36 billion in 2023/24.
Customs data shows Nepal’s share in total foreign trade improved to 13.31% in 2024/25, up from 8.73% in the previous fiscal year. Share of imports, meanwhile, fell 5.02% to 86.69% compared to 91.27% in 2023/24.
Top Five Imports
| Top Five Imports | Value (Rs in Billion) |
|---|---|
| Diesel | 128.76 |
| Crude Soybean Oil | 108.95 |
| Petrol | 64.12 |
| LPG | 62.58 |
| Sponge Iron | 48.76 |
| Top Five Exports | Value (Rs in Billion) |
|---|---|
| Refined Soybean Oil | 106.79 |
| Refined Sunflower Oil | 12.32 |
| Big Cardamom | 7.67 |
| Handmade Carpet | 6.60 |
| Woven Fabrics | 5.69 |
Source: Department of Customs
