Birgunj Exports Surge Near Rs 66 Billion as Import Bill Soars to Rs 595 Billion

The Birgunj Customs Office has reported a significant uptick in trade activity during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, with exports reaching a total of Rs 66.48 billion. This represents a notable increase of Rs 9.94 billion compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, when export values stood at Rs 56.54 billion. According to Uday Singh Bista, Information Officer at the Birgunj Customs Office, the export climate is steadily improving, driven largely by high demand processed goods.

The surge in exports is primarily attributed to the processed oil sector and textile industry. Processed soybean oil emerged as the leading export commodity, accounting for Rs 35.58 billion, followed by fruit juice at Rs 4.97 billion and processed sunflower oil at Rs 4.58 billion. Other significant contributors to the export tally include refined palm oil (Rs 3.77 billion), various types of cloth (Rs 2.33 billion), and synthetic yarn (Rs 1.58 billion).

On the import side, the Birgunj border remains a massive gateway for foreign goods, with total imports for the first seven months of the current fiscal year reaching Rs 595.46 billion. This reflects an 11% increase, or approximately Rs 58.91 billion, over the Rs 536.55 billion recorded during the same period last year. While the growth in exports signals a strengthening of Nepal's industrial processing capabilities, the high volume of imports underscores a persistent and widening trade gap through the nation's busiest land port.