Kathmandu, Oct 28: Nepal's foreign trade grew by nearly 41 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2026-27, which began in mid-July, the Department of Customs said on Wednesday, according to Xinhua. Total trade expanded 40.71 per cent to Rs 761.07 billion (yaani about Rs 76,107 crore), up from Rs 540.87 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Source: Xinhua via EIN Presswire

Exports rose faster than imports in percentage terms. Exports increased 57.03 per cent to Rs 114.29 billion, compared with Rs 72.78 billion in the first three months of the previous fiscal year, Red Voice Nepal reported from the Customs data. Online Khabar likewise reported that exports crossed Rs 114 billion in the quarter, rising 57.03 per cent year-on-year, according to the Department of Customs.

Source: Online Khabar via Hamro Patro

40.71%growth in total foreign trade, to Rs 761.07 billion
57.03%growth in exports, to Rs 114.29 billion
38.18%growth in imports, to Rs 646.78 billion
Rs 532.49 billiontrade deficit, up 34.71% from Rs 395.30 billion a year earlier

Imports, however, remained far larger in absolute terms. Imports grew 38.18 per cent to Rs 646.78 billion by the end of Ashoj, up from Rs 468.08 billion a year earlier, and accounted for 84.98 per cent of total trade. Exports accounted for 15.02 per cent, up from 13.46 per cent a year earlier.

Source: Red Voice Nepal

Because exports grew faster, the import-export ratio improved to 5.66, meaning Nepal imported Rs 5.66 worth of goods for every Rs 1 it exported, compared with Rs 6.43 a year earlier. Even so, the trade deficit widened in rupee terms to Rs 532.49 billion (yaani about Rs 53,249 crore), from Rs 395.30 billion in the same period last year.

The figures cover the first quarter of FY 2083/84 in the Nepali calendar, from Shrawan to Ashoj. The data show an export sector growing quickly from a smaller base, while the import bill — about 85 per cent of all trade — continues to drive the overall deficit higher.