KATHMANDU: Nepal’s foreign trade grew by 14.75 percent to reach Rs 1.941 trillion during the first ten months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Department of Customs.

However, the country’s trade deficit widened by 14.92 percent, climbing to Rs 1.443 trillion as import growth outpaced export gains.

During the review period, imports rose by 14.82 percent to Rs 1.692 trillion, up from Rs 1.474 trillion in the same period last fiscal year.

Meanwhile, exports saw a 14.25 percent increase, reaching Rs 248.96 billion compared to last year’s Rs 217.91 billion. Despite the improvement, export volumes remain critically low compared to imports.

The ballooning import bill means inbound goods now command a staggering 87.18 percent share of Nepal’s total foreign trade, while the export share has shrunk to 12.82 percent.

This imbalance has pushed the import-to-export ratio to 6.80, meaning Nepal currently spends Rs 6.80 on imports for every Re 1 earned from exports.