Nepal Sees Import Boost in Vehicles (+33%) and Rice/Paddy (+68%) from India in 2025/26

According to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Mid-September 2025/26 report, Nepal’s imports from India have shown a strong rebound, driven primarily by sharp increases in vehicle and rice/paddy imports. During the first two months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, imports from India reached Rs. 173.54 billion, marking an 8% year-on-year rise from the same period last fiscal year.

The NRB’s Table 19 data shows that imports of vehicles and spare parts surged by 32.9%, climbing from Rs. 11.38 billion in FY 2024/25 (two-month period) to Rs. 15.14 billion in FY 2025/26. This rise reflects improving liquidity in the banking sector and growing consumer demand for automobiles, signaling gradual recovery in Nepal’s transport and logistics industry.

Similarly, rice and paddy imports jumped by 67.8%, increasing from Rs. 3.34 billion to Rs. 5.60 billion in the same period. The surge highlights Nepal’s reliance on Indian rice imports due to weak domestic harvests and growing food consumption needs ahead of festival seasons.

Other major imports also displayed mixed trends. Petroleum products continued to lead with Rs. 39.23 billion, while bitumen imports soared by 191.6%, indicating an acceleration in infrastructure projects. However, imports of chemical fertilizers dropped drastically by 91.7%, reflecting reduced procurement amid adequate stock levels from the previous year.