Tea exports to India decline through Kakarvitta point
Summary
Nepali tea exports to India through the Kakarvitta border point in Jhapa declined in the last fiscal year, falling to 13,045 metric tons worth Rs 3.53 billion. Officials say price fluctuations in India, quality-testing barriers, and changing market demand have hurt shipments and could deepen the trade deficit.
Key Points
- Nepal exported 13,045 metric tons of tea worth Rs 3.53 billion to India through Kakarvitta in fiscal year 2082/83 BS, down from the previous year.
- Export earnings fell by Rs 639.69 million as both volume and value declined.
- Chief Customs Administrator Shivlal Neupane said India remains the main market for Nepali tea, but price fluctuations and non-tariff barriers have affected trade.
- The drop is expected to hurt tea farmers, industrialists and suppliers while widening Nepal's trade deficit.
