NRB Data: Nepal’s Total Imports Reach Rs 305 Billion in Two Months of FY 2025/26

Nepal’s overall import volume has expanded significantly at the beginning of FY 2025/26, indicating rising domestic demand and improved trade activity, as per the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Mid-September 2025/26 report. The total import value stood at Rs. 305.15 billion during the first two months of the fiscal year, marking a 16.2% increasecompared to Rs. 262.54 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This upward trend in imports reflects strong consumption recovery, higher industrial input demand, and increased fuel dependency.

According to NRB data, petroleum products remain the leading import category, totaling Rs. 39.57 billion and accounting for 13% of Nepal’s total imports. Imports of transport equipment, vehicles, and spare parts rose sharply by 31.7% to Rs. 20.58 billion, while chemical fertilizer imports jumped by an impressive 68.1%, reaching Rs. 16.18 billion. These increases suggest strong agricultural activity, rising consumer demand, and higher public and private investment.

Other key sectors also recorded significant growth. Telecommunication equipment and parts imports climbed 29.1%, reflecting the ongoing expansion of Nepal’s digital infrastructure. Aircraft spare parts rose by an extraordinary 357.7%, showing renewed maintenance and aviation operations among domestic airlines. Gold imports more than doubled, increasing 114.7% to Rs. 3.42 billion, largely due to festive demand and a slight softening in global prices. Similarly, rice and paddy imports grew 67.8%, while vegetable imports rose 44.8%, pointing to seasonal shortages in domestic supply.

However, not all sectors witnessed growth. Imports of readymade garments fell by 19.7%, and thread decreased 3.9%, suggesting slower activity in the local textile and tailoring industries. Medicine imports declined 2%, reflecting stabilized supply and reduced post-pandemic demand. Despite these marginal declines, the overall trade data points to strong import momentum fueled by remittance-backed consumption and business expansion.

The top 20 commodities accounted for 61.5% of the total import value (Rs. 187.57 billion), while other goods made up 38.5%. Analysts note that while this surge highlights improving economic activity, it also raises concerns over Nepal’s persistent trade imbalance, as import dependency continues to overshadow export performance. Experts recommend strengthening domestic production capacity, promoting renewable energy alternatives, and encouraging industrial investment to gradually narrow the trade gap.