🇳🇵 Nepal’s Export Trends: Modest Growth in High-Value Goods, Soaring Edible Oil Re-Exports

🇳🇵 Nepal’s Export Trends: Modest Growth in High-Value Goods, Soaring Edible Oil Re-Exports

🔍 Key Highlights

• Total Export Earnings: Rs 217.91 billion

• NTIS High-Value Products: Rs 83.10 billion (+6.74%)

• Edible Oil Re-Exports: Rs 90.75 billion from 430,504 tonnes
  (Up due to India’s earlier 20% duty hike on crude oil; now reduced to 10%)

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📈 Top Performing NTIS-Listed Products

Product	Growth (%)	Export Value (Rs)
Yarn	+20.7%	11.65 billion
Tea	+37.0%	3.97 billion
Dog Chews	+33.7%	3.49 billion
Felt Products	+6.3%	4.09 billion
Jute & Products	+15.5%	6.92 billion
Fabric	+21.9%	2.51 billion
Pashmina	+5.4%	2.49 billion
Carpets	+0.6%	8.84 billion

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🏗️ Other Gains

Sector	Growth (%)	Export Value (Rs)
Footwear	+43.5%	1.50 billion
Cement	+6.0%	1.76 billion
Rosin & Resin Acids	+55.9%	1.70 billion
Pasta	+11.5%	1.82 billion
Honey	+196.7%	48.57 million
Handmade Paper	+14.2%	999.54 million

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📉 Declining Traditional Exports

Product	Decline (%)	Export Value (Rs)
Iron & Steel	-1.6%	13.84 billion
Readymade Garments	-5.7%	6.97 billion
Large Cardamom	-3.6%	6.67 billion
Ginger	-50.9%	526.58 million
Lentils	-37.7%	241.32 million
Coffee	-49.1%	46.97 million
Fruits	-28.6%	6.11 million
Vegetables	-18.1%	145.79 million

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⚠️ Concerns & Expert Opinions

• Overdependence on Re-Exports:
  Refined edible oil exports drive short-term gains but are not sustainable due to external policy shifts (e.g., India’s customs changes).

• Weak NTIS Implementation:
  Former Trade Secretary Rabi Shankar Sainju cites political interference, lack of coordination, and ritualistic policy-making as key barriers to meaningful trade growth.

• Board of Trade Ineffectiveness:
  Described as ceremonial, failing to mobilize strategic export initiatives.

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🧩 Conclusion: A Mixed Bag

While NTIS-prioritised high-value products have made some headway, their growth is overshadowed by volatile, policy-driven re-exports. Experts urge a refocus on sustainable production, institutional reforms, and genuine export capacity building to shield Nepal from future trade shocks.