Paddy and rice import through Birgunj route declines

BIRGUNJ, Oct 1: The import of paddy and rice from Birgunj checkpoint has decreased in two months of the current fiscal year 2024/25 compared to corresponding period of last fiscal year. As of mid-September (Shrawan end) of the current year, the country has imported 26.3 million kg of rice worth Rs 963.2 million from the checkpoint. 

In the same period of last year, the country had imported 37.9 million kg of  rice worth Rs 1.312 billion. Compared to the previous year, the import of rice has decreased by 30.61 percent this year.

Dipak Lamichhane, chief revenue administrator of Birgunj Customs Office, said that there has been a slight decrease in the import of paddy and rice in the current year compared to the previous year. By mid-September of the current year, the import of broken rice has also decreased.

Till mid-September of the current year, the country has imported 1.68 million kg of broken rice worth Rs 221.72 million. During the same period last year, the country imported 2.2 million kg of broken rice worth Rs 260.5 million. Compared to the previous year, the import of broken rice has decreased by 23.37 percent this year.

The import of maize has also decreased in the first two months of current FY. By mid-September, the country imported 15 million kg of maize worth Rs 612.4 million. In the same period of last year, the country had imported 18.691 million kg of maize worth Rs 679.7 million. Compared to the previous year, the import of maize has decreased by 19.55 percent this year.