KATHMANDU, Feb 22: Nepal imported gold worth Rs 21.20 billion in the first seven months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) despite the precious metal hitting a record high price almost every day.
The records with the Department of Customs (DoC) show that the import of gold during mid-July 2025 and mid-February 2026 was double the amount that the country spent on gold imports in the review period of the last FY, when the import was recorded at Rs 10.45 billion. Over the period, gold price jumped the record high at Rs 339,000 per tola.
Along with gold, the import of silver also surged four-fold during the period. According to the DoC, the import of the precious metal escalated to Rs 8.46 billion from Rs 2.75 billion as its domestic market price hit the record high at Rs 7,300 per tola.
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Crude soybean oil continued to lead the import expense of the country in the first seven months. The country imported edible oil worth Rs 70.99 billion.
Diesel, with an expense of Rs 69.91 billion was the second largest import item of the country, followed by petrol import worth Rs 38.13 billion. Cooking gas was in fourth position of the largest import items, with its value recording at Rs 31.85 billion.
Likewise, Nepal imported sponge iron (raw material) of Rs 31.09 billion and smart mobile phone of Rs 26.68 billion. As gold was recorded in seventh position in terms of import expense, the DAP fertilizer import stood at Rs 20.85 billion and other fertilizers imports was Rs 19.69 billion.
Iron and steel plate was in the tenth position of the largest import. Nepal imported these goods of Rs 16.70 billion in the review period.
During the first seven months of FY 2025/26, total imports increased by 13.65 percent compared to the same period last year. While goods worth Rs 988 billion were imported in the first seven months last year, the figure has now risen to Rs 1.123 trillion. According to the DoC, the import figure stood at Rs 184 billion alone in one month during mid-January and mid-February.
Likewise, exports increased by 32.19 percent in seven months. Goods worth Rs 168.14 billion were exported compared to the earning of Rs 127 billion under the heading.
The huge import volume compared to a nominal rise in exports made the country’s trade deficit deepen by 10.91 percent, taking it to Rs 955 billion from Rs 861 billion.
