Merchandise exports and imports rise 12.3 pc and 15.2 pc in 11 months: NRB

KATHMANDU: Nepal's merchandise exports rose 12.3% to Rs 277.97 billion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025/26, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said in its latest macroeconomic report published on Monday.

The central bank said exports to India and other countries increased by 13.6% and 9.2%, respectively, while exports to China fell by 35.8%. Exports of soybean oil, palm oil, cardamom, noodles and bran increased, while exports of zinc sheet, particle board, tea, woollen carpet and handicraft goods declined in the review period.

Likewise, merchandise imports increased 15.2% to Rs 1,894.10 billion, leaving the trade deficit 15.7% higher at Rs 1,616.13 billion.

NRB said imports from India, China and other countries rose by 11.8%, 21.5% and 18.9%, respectively. Imports of petroleum products, silver, transport equipment, vehicles and spare parts, chemical fertiliser and crude soybean oil increased, while imports of edible oil, hot rolled sheet in coil, garlic, MS wire rod, bars, coils and MS billet decreased.

The bank said the export‑import ratio fell to 14.7% in the review period from 15.1% a year earlier. Merchandise imports from India paid in convertible foreign currency amounted to Rs 180.10 billion, up from Rs 167.30 billion in the same period of the previous year.

On the composition of trade, NRB said final consumption goods accounted for 69.3% of total exports, intermediate goods 30.0% and capital goods 0.7% in the review period. In the same period a year earlier, the shares were 67.3%, 31.7% and 1.0%, respectively.

For imports, the bank said final consumption goods made up 38.8% of total imports, intermediate goods 51.8% and capital goods 9.4% in the review period, compared with 39.4%, 51.6% and 9.0% a year earlier.

NRB said the year‑on‑year unit value export price index increased by 4.2% based on customs data, while the import price index rose by 21.0% in the eleventh month of 2025/26. The terms of trade index fell by 13.9% over the same period.