Vegetable Imports Up 48%: Why Nepal Still Relies on Foreign Agro Products

Nepal’s imports of vegetables jumped by 48.4% in the first month of 2025/26, totaling Rs. 1.37 billion compared to Rs. 0.92 billion in the same period last year. Though vegetables account for just 1% of total imports, the sharp rise has once again raised concerns about Nepal’s dependence on foreign agro products, especially from India.

Experts say the surge is linked to multiple factors. First, domestic production shortfalls due to erratic weather, insufficient irrigation, and low productivity have widened the supply-demand gap. Farmers face recurring issues of pests, lack of modern storage facilities, and rising input costs, limiting consistent supply. Secondly, urban demand for year-round fresh produce has outpaced local production capacity. Consumers increasingly prefer imported vegetables that are readily available, standardized in quality, and competitively priced.

Another driver is the rise of supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants, which rely heavily on imported vegetables to maintain supply consistency. Seasonal dependency also plays a role—when local harvests are low, imports spike to stabilize prices in urban markets like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Biratnagar.

Economists warn that rising vegetable imports not only widen the trade deficit but also discourage local farmers when imports flood the market at lower prices. They argue that Nepal needs long-term investment in cold storage, modern farming techniques, farmer cooperatives, and crop diversification to strengthen self-reliance. Without such reforms, Nepal will continue to depend on foreign agro products even for basic food needs.