Food is now Nepal’s next biggest dependency after fuel
Summary
Nepal’s food import bill has climbed to Rs434.26 billion in the last fiscal year, deepening concerns that imported food is becoming the country’s second major external dependency after petroleum products. Rising remittances, weaker farm labor, and India’s export restrictions on staples such as rice and sugar have accelerated the trend.
Key Points
- Nepal imported food worth Rs434.26 billion in the last fiscal year, driven by rising demand and a widening gap between domestic production and consumption.
- Experts warn that food is becoming Nepal’s second major external dependency after petroleum products.
- India’s export restrictions on rice, sugar and other staples have repeatedly shaped Nepal’s import patterns and price increases.
- The edible-oil trade, rising remittance-fuelled consumption and labour outmigration are further increasing Nepal’s dependence on imported food.
