Nepal's trade surge in FY 2025/26 shows record exports and rising petroleum imports

In fiscal year 2025/26 Nepal’s petroleum import bill rose 15.5% to Rs 332.27 billion, representing 15.85% of the country's total imports. Diesel was the largest item at Rs 172.43 billion, followed by petrol, LP gas, aviation fuel and kerosene.

During the same period Nepal’s merchandise exports increased 13.8% to NPR 315.29 billion, driven largely by refined soybean oil, which generated NPR 128.74 billion—about 40.8% of total export earnings. Including other edible oils, the sector accounted for 47.3% of exports, with the bulk of the refined oil sold to the Indian market. The refined oil industry relies on imported crude oil, primarily from Argentina and other South American suppliers.