Nepal’s Top 20 Imports Account for Rs 187 Billion – Fuel, Oil and Vehicles Dominate NRB Data

Published on October 26, 2025

Nepal’s import composition for the first two months of FY 2025/26 reveals that the top 20 imported commoditiescollectively accounted for Rs. 187.57 billion, representing over 61.5% of total imports, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Mid-September 2025/26 report. This highlights the country’s continued reliance on high-value goods such as petroleum products, crude soybean oil, and transport equipment, which together dominate the nation’s import basket.

The report shows that petroleum products remained Nepal’s single largest import, amounting to Rs. 39.58 billion, contributing 13% of total imports, and recording a modest 2.2% year-on-year increase. Following this, crude soybean oil emerged as the second-largest import at Rs. 21.65 billion, signaling strong demand from Nepal’s domestic edible oil refineries that reprocess and export refined oil. Meanwhile, transport equipment, vehicles, and spare parts ranked third, rising by 31.7% to Rs. 20.58 billion, reflecting growing consumer and industrial demand for automobiles and logistics-related machinery.

Other major imports include chemical fertilizers (Rs. 16.18 billion, +68.1%), telecommunication equipment (Rs. 10.55 billion, +29.1%), and machinery and parts (Rs. 12.91 billion, +1.5%). These categories underline Nepal’s ongoing dependence on industrial, agricultural, and digital infrastructure imports. Similarly, gold imports more than doubled (+114.7%) to Rs. 3.42 billion, reflecting rising festive and investment-driven demand in the bullion market.

At the same time, readymade garment imports and medicines showed moderate declines of -19.7% and -2%, respectively, indicating slight shifts in domestic consumption patterns and inventory management. Despite these minor dips, the overall import volume expanded by 16.2%, with Nepal’s total imports reaching Rs. 305.15 billion during the review period.

Economists caution that while the rise in capital and consumer goods imports reflects renewed economic activity, it also reinforces Nepal’s persistent trade deficit challenge. With imports heavily concentrated in petroleum, vehicles, and industrial inputs, experts emphasize the importance of import substitution policies, domestic production incentives, and energy diversification to sustain external stability in the long term.

NRB Report: Labour Migration to Saudi Arabia and Qatar Declines, Japan and Oman Surge

Overall, Nepal’s foreign-employment market continues to grow, though the direction of flow is changing. Declines in Saudi Arabia and Qatar are offset by sharp increases in Japan, Oman, and non-traditional markets, marking a gradual transition toward higher-skill and diversified overseas employment opportunities.

UAE Remains Top Job Destination for Nepali Workers with 37,381 Migrants in 2025/26

In FY 2025/26, the UAE remained Nepal’s top job destination, hosting 37,381 Nepali workers in the first two months alone — a 40% year-on-year increase. The Gulf region continues to absorb the majority of Nepali labor, with strong growth also seen in Japan and Cyprus. Total labor migration approvals (new and renewal) exceeded 136,000 during the review period.

Nepal’s Foreign Employment Rises 17.9% in FY 2025/26 – Over 90,000 Workers Leave in Two Months

In the first two months of FY 2025/26, Nepal sent 90,198 new workers abroad, up 17.9% year-on-year. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar remained the top destinations, while Japan and Cyprus showed growth. Including renewals, total foreign employment reached 1.36 lakh workers, highlighting Nepal’s ongoing dependence on labor migration for income and remittance.

NRB Report: Nepal’s Trade with China Expands Sharply as Industrial Imports Rise 32%

Nepal’s trade with China surged in early FY 2025/26, with imports up 25.1 percent to Rs 65.17 billion, led by a 32 percent rise in industrial imports. Key drivers included telecommunication equipment, fertilizers, solar panels, and machinery, marking a shift toward industrial investment — but also highlighting growing trade imbalance concerns.

Nepal Increases Imports of Telecommunication Equipment and Machinery from China by 52%

Nepal’s imports from China climbed to Rs 65.17 billion in the first two months of FY 2025/26, up 25 percent year-on-year, led by a 52.6 percent rise in telecommunication equipment and strong demand for industrial machinery. The surge reflects rising investments in technology and infrastructure but also adds to Nepal’s trade-deficit challenge.

Solar Panels, Wheat Products, and Chemical Fertilizer Drive Nepal-China Trade Growth

In FY 2025/26, Nepal’s imports from China climbed 25%, totaling Rs 65.17 billion, driven mainly by solar panels, wheat products, and chemical fertilizers. The surge highlights industrial recovery and the country’s push toward renewable energy, though it also increases Nepal’s trade deficit risk due to heavy reliance on Chinese imports.

NRB Data: Nepal’s Imports from China Reach Rs 65.2 Billion in Two Months, Up 25%

In the first two months of FY 2025/26, Nepal’s imports from China climbed 25 percent, totaling Rs 65.2 billion. Growth was led by telecom equipment, fertilizers, solar panels, and PVC compounds, showing rising industrial and technology demand. While the expansion reflects economic momentum, it also deepens Nepal’s import dependency and trade-deficit concerns.

Nepal’s Imports from China Surge 25.1% in FY 2025/26 – Electronics and Machinery Lead Growth

Nepal’s imports from China climbed 25.1% in the first two months of FY 2025/26, reaching Rs. 65.17 billion, led by telecom equipment, fertilizers, machinery, and solar panels. This surge cements China’s role as Nepal’s second-largest trade partner and reflects rising industrial and technological demand.

Nepal Sees Import Boost in Vehicles (+33%) and Rice/Paddy (+68%) from India in 2025/26

In FY 2025/26, Nepal’s imports from India rose 8% to Rs. 173.54 billion, driven by strong growth in vehicle imports (+33%) and rice/paddy imports (+68%). The rise indicates revived consumer demand and agricultural dependency but also reinforces concerns about Nepal’s widening trade deficit with India.