Nepal’s Import Surge in Key Commodities: Crude Soyabean Oil Leads with 707% Growth

Nepal’s trade data for the first month of 2025/26 reveals striking growth in several major import categories. The highest surge was recorded in crude soyabean oil imports, which skyrocketed by 707.9%, reaching over Rs. 10.80 billion. This exceptional rise reflects the dominance of edible oil demand, driven by refinery needs, tariff incentives, and changing dietary preferences.

The second-highest growth came from vegetables (+48.4%), highlighting Nepal’s continuing dependence on foreign agro products due to weak domestic productivity and rising urban demand. Similarly, coal imports rose by 53.2%, largely fueled by the cement and brick industries that remain heavily coal-dependent despite energy transition efforts.

Another major contributor was rice imports (+45.9%), which expanded sharply due to declining local yields, urban demand for premium varieties, and distribution inefficiencies. Finally, gold imports increased by 24.5%, as Nepalis turned to the yellow metal both for cultural consumption during the festive/wedding season and as a safe-haven investment amid economic uncertainty.

Economists say while these surges reflect immediate consumer and industrial needs, they also worsen Nepal’s trade deficit and expose structural weaknesses in agriculture, industry, and domestic production. Unless strategic reforms are made in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing, Nepal’s dependency on imports in these key categories will continue to deepen.