KATHMANDU, Aug 22: Edible oils emerged as the leading commodities on both the import and export fronts in the first month of the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27, underscoring the growing role of Nepal’s oil-processing trade with India.
According to data from the Department of Customs (DoC), Nepal imported crude soybean oil worth Rs 18.40 billion during the month from mid-July to mid-August. The commodity topped the country’s import list by value.
At the same time, soybean oil emerged as Nepal’s largest export item, with exports worth Rs 17.99 billion. Nepali traders import crude edible oils from third countries, process them in Nepal and export the finished products, mainly to India.
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Nepal also exported palm oil worth Rs 1.29 billion and sunflower oil worth Rs 1.20 billion during the review period, further highlighting the dominance of edible oils in the country’s export trade.
On the import side, diesel ranked second, with imports worth Rs 13.85 billion. Cooking gas imports amounted to Rs 8.46 billion, while DAP fertilizer imports stood at Rs 7.86 billion.
Petrol imports totaled Rs 6.88 billion during the period. Nepal also imported smartphones worth Rs 3.87 billion, laptops and notebooks worth Rs 1.20 billion, and gold worth Rs 1.10 billion.
In terms of exports, steel ranked second after soybean oil, generating Rs 1.15 billion in export earnings. Other major export items included jute goods worth Rs 1.60 billion, carpets worth Rs 840 million and cardamom worth Rs 670 million, according to the DoC.
