KATHMANDU: Both imports and exports increased in the first month of the current fiscal year 2025/2026, according to data released by the Department of Customs on Friday.

Imports rose by 11.42%, reaching Rs 143.40 billion in the first month of current fiscal year, compared to Rs 128.37 billion in the same period last year.

Exports nearly doubled, growing by 95.75% to Rs 23.93 billion, up from Rs 12.22 billion a year ago.

Overall foreign trade expanded by 18.75%, totaling Rs 166.97 billion. Despite significant growth in exports, Nepal’s trade deficit widened due to the much larger size of imports.

The trade deficit increased from Rs 116.15 billion in mid-August 2024 to Rs 119.10 billion in mid-August 2025, marking a 2.55% rise.