Trade Deficit of Nepal Widens by 13.04 Percent | Export Grows by 18.46 Percent
April 21, 2026 | Investopaper
In the first nine months (Shrawan-Chaitra) of the current fiscal year 2082/83, the trade deficit of Nepal grew by 13.04 percent. The trade deficit in the current fiscal year 2082/83 reached Rs 1,267.56 billion. The trade deficit during the same period previous year was Rs 1,121.33 billion.
The imports have increased by 13.82 percent. Goods worth Rs. 1,490.49 billion were imported in the 9 month period, which stood at Rs 1,309.53 billion in the same period of the previous year.
Similarly, the export grew by 18.46 percent as compared to the corresponding period of previous fiscal year. About Rs 222.93 billion worth of items were exported in the 9 months period.
| SN | Trade Indicators | FY 2082/83 (First 9 Months) | FY 2081/82 (First 9 Months) | Change (%) |
| 1 | Imports (Rs.in `000) | 1,490,498,864.42 | 1,309,532,838.15 | 13.82 |
| 2 | Exports (Rs.in `000) | 222,936,223.87 | 188,195,069.95 | 18.46 |
| 3 | Trade Deficit (Rs.in `000) | 1,267,562,640.55 | 1,121,337,768.20 | 13.04 |
| 4 | Total Foreign Trade (Rs.in `000) | 1,713,435,088.29 | 1,497,727,908.10 | 14.40 |
| 5 | Imports/Exports Ratio | 6.69 | 6.96 | (3.92) |
| 6 | Exports Share to Total Trade (%) | 13.01 | 12.57 | 3.55 |
| 7 | Imports Share to Total Trade (%) | 86.99 | 87.43 | (0.51) |
Source: Department of Customs
In the 12 months (Shrawan-Ashad) of the last fiscal year 2081/82, the trade deficit widened by 6 percent. The trade deficit in the current fiscal year 2081/82 reached Rs 1,527.09 billion. The trade deficit during the same period previous year was Rs 1,440.60 billion.
The imports have increased by 13.25 percent. Goods worth Rs. 1,804.12 billion were imported in the 12 months period, which stood at Rs 1,592.98 billion in the same period of the previous year.
Similarly, the export grew by 81.80 percent as compared to the corresponding period of previous fiscal year. About Rs 277.03 billion worth of items were exported in the 12 months period.
International Trade Situation Of Nepal- FY 2081/82
| SN | Trade Indicators | FY 2081/82 (12 Months) | FY 2080/81 (12 Months) | Change(%) |
| 1 | Imports (Rs.in `000) | 1,804,122,731.44 | 1,592,985,528.09 | 13.25 |
| 2 | Exports (Rs.in `000) | 277,030,201.56 | 152,381,244.31 | 81.80 |
| 3 | Trade Deficit (Rs.in `000) | 1,527,092,529.88 | 1,440,604,283.78 | 6.00 |
| 4 | Total Foreign Trade (Rs.in `000) | 2,081,152,933.00 | 1,745,366,772.40 | 19.24 |
| 5 | Imports/Exports Ratio | 6.51 | 10.45 | (37.70) |
| 6 | Exports Share to Total Trade (%) | 13.31 | 8.73 | 52.47 |
| 7 | Imports Share to Total Trade (%) | 86.69 | 91.27 | (5.02) |
Source: Department of Customs
International Trade Situation Of Nepal- FY 2080/81
| SN | Trade Indicators | FY 2080/81 (12 Months) | FY 2079/80 (12 Months) | Change (%) |
| 1 | Imports (Rs.in `000) | 1,592,985,528.09 | 1,611,731,769.58 | (1.16) |
| 2 | Exports (Rs.in `000) | 152,381,244.31 | 157,140,695.39 | (3.03) |
| 3 | Trade Deficit (Rs.in `000) | 1,440,604,283.78 | 1,454,591,074.19 | (0.96) |
| 4 | Total Foreign Trade (Rs.in `000) | 1,745,366,772.40 | 1,768,872,464.97 | (1.33) |
| 5 | Imports/Exports Ratio | 10.45 | 10.26 | 1.92 |
| 6 | Exports Share to Total Trade (%) | 8.73 | 8.88 | (1.72) |
| 7 | Imports Share to Total Trade (%) | 91.27 | 91.12 | 0.17 |
Source: Department of Customs
International Trade Situation Of Nepal- FY 2079/80
| SN | Trade Indicators | FY 2079/80 (12 Months) | FY 2078/79 (12 Months) | Change (%) |
| 1 | Imports (Rs.in `000) | 1,611,731,769.58 | 1,920,448,349.38 | -16.08 |
| 2 | Exports (Rs.in `000) | 157,140,695.39 | 200,030,961.70 | -21.44 |
| 3 | Trade Deficit (Rs.in `000) | 1,454,591,074.19 | 1,720,417,387.68 | -15.45 |
| 4 | Total Foreign Trade (Rs.in `000) | 1,768,872,464.97 | 2,120,479,311.08 | -16.58 |
| 5 | Imports/Exports Ratio | 10.26 | 9.60 | 6.83 |
| 6 | Exports Share to Total Trade (%) | 8.88 | 9.43 | -5.83 |
| 7 | Imports Share to Total Trade (%) | 91.12 | 90.57 | 0.61 |
Source: Department of Customs
International Trade Situation Of Nepal- FY 2078/79
| SN | Trade Indicators | FY 2078/79 (12 Months) | FY 2077/78 (12 Months) | Change (%) |
| 1 | Imports (Rs.in `000) | 1,920,448,349.38 | 1,539,837,067.89 | 24.72 |
| 2 | Exports (Rs.in `000) | 200,030,961.70 | 141,124,080.46 | 41.74 |
| 3 | Trade Deficit (Rs.in `000) | 1,720,417,387.68 | 1,398,712,987.43 | 23.00 |
| 4 | Total Foreign Trade (Rs.in `000) | 2,120,479,311.08 | 1,680,961,148.36 | 26.15 |
| 5 | Imports/Exports Ratio | 9.60 | 10.91 | -12.01 |
| 6 | Exports Share to Total Trade (%) | 9.43 | 8.40 | 12.36 |
| 7 | Imports Share to Total Trade (%) | 90.57 | 91.60 | -1.13 |
Source: Department of Customs
Thanks for this nice article. While analysing trade deficit, trade deficit as a percentage of GDP is one of the most important measure, you have missed this one.