Fuel Imports Dominate Nepal’s Trade – Rs 66.8 Billion Spent in Just Three Months

Nepal spent over Rs. 66.87 billion on the import of fuel and petroleum products during the first three months of the current fiscal year (FY 2082/83), making it the largest single import category in the country’s total trade.

According to the Department of Customs, the import value of mineral fuels, mineral oils, and related products (Chapter 27) reached nearly 14 percent of total imports between mid-July and mid-October 2025.

During this three-month period, Nepal’s total imports stood at Rs. 468.08 billion, while exports were worth Rs. 72.78 billion. Fuel alone accounted for a major portion of the import bill, significantly contributing to the Rs. 395.30 billion trade deficit recorded during the period.

Experts warn that Nepal’s heavy dependence on imported petroleum products is putting continuous pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves and widening the trade imbalance. The growing demand for diesel, petrol, cooking gas, and other petroleum products—driven by transport, industrial recovery, and household consumption—remains a key challenge for economic stability.

Despite gradual efforts to promote renewable energy, electric vehicles, and hydropower-based transport, the data show that Nepal’s energy economy is still overwhelmingly dependent on imported fossil fuels. Economists say that without a shift toward sustainable domestic energy sources, the country will continue to face rising import bills and macroeconomic vulnerability.