KATHMANDU: According to data published by the Department of Customs, Nepal’s imports rose by 11.42 percent in the first month of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

Imports in Shrawan (Nepali calendar) were valued at Rs 143.40 billion, compared to Rs 128.37 billion during the same period last year.

Exports showed a remarkable increase of 95.75 percent, reaching Rs 23.93 billion in Shrawan, up from Rs 12.22 billion in the same month of the previous fiscal year.

With both imports and exports rising, Nepal’s total foreign trade reached Rs 166.97 billion in Shrawan, reflecting an 18.75 percent increase compared to last year.

Despite the surge in exports, Nepal’s trade deficit further widened due to the higher volume of imports.

The trade deficit, which was Rs 116.15 billion in the first month of the last fiscal year, rose by 2.55 percent to reach Rs 119.10 billion in the same period this year.