KATHMANDU, Oct 26: Nepal imported dry fruits Rs 1.37 billion worth of dry fruits in the last three months of the current fiscal year 2024/25 alone as the festival of Tihar which sees the highest consumption of the products approaches. The imports of dry fruits this fiscal year is about Rs 90 million more than imports in the same period of the previous fiscal year when the dry fruits imports amounted to Rs 1.27 billion.
Nepal imports most of its dry fruits from abroad. Most goods imported in Nepal are seasonal, and foreign trade data shows that import quantities fluctuate with the seasons. Currently, as the festival season for Tihar begins, traders import essential items for the celebrations in large quantities.
Immediately after Dashain, the festive atmosphere for Tihar begins in Nepal. Traders report that Tihar sees the highest sales of daily consumables. During this time, items such as flowers for making garlands, food for gifts, other gift materials including new clothing and precious metals are sold in greater quantities. Among these, packaged dry fruits known as ‘bhai masala’ hold the top position as the most consumed item during Tihar.
Nepal imports fruits worth around Rs 7 billion in the first sev...
In Nepal, particularly walnuts, almonds, pistachios, dry figs, cashews, and raisins are among the most heavily imported dry fruits as they fall under the ‘bhai masala’ package. According to data from the Department of Customs, during the three months of the current fiscal year, from mid-July to mid-October, Nepal imported 8.4 million kilograms of such dry fruits.
According to the statistics, during this period, Nepal imported walnuts worth approximately Rs 376.5 million, coconuts worth Rs 316.4 million, almonds worth Rs 190 million, betel nuts worth Rs 121.8 million, cashews worth Rs 119.2 million, and raisins worth Rs 90 million.
Similarly, the data from the Department of Customs indicates that Nepal imported cashews with fresh shells worth Rs 19.8 million, apricots worth Rs 15.4 million, and dry figs worth Rs 13.9 million. Additionally, the data shows that Nepal also imported dried fruits such as dates, various types of walnuts, dried oranges, and apples.
Furthermore, the data shows that even oranges, which are mostly produced in Nepal, are dried and imported from other countries. In just the last three months of the current fiscal year, Nepal imported dates worth Rs 11.9 million, along with dried and fresh oranges valued at Rs 194 million.
