Nepal’s Tea Exports Surge by 36% in First Quarter, Cardamom Exports Decline

The export of tea from Nepal saw a significant rise in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with a 36% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Mechi Customs Office. In the first three months, a total of 6,426 metric tonnes of tea were exported.

Ganapati Kandel, the Information Officer at the Mechi Customs Office, reported that in terms of value, tea exports surged by over 50%, amounting to Rs 1.71 billion. This impressive growth is attributed to a decline in tea production in India, which boosted the demand for Nepali tea, according to Aditya Parajuli, Chairman of the Nepal Tea Producers Association.

Parajuli expressed optimism that tea exports would continue to grow if the government provided further support to facilitate the sector.

Cardamom Exports Plummet

While tea exports flourished, the export of cardamom witnessed a sharp decline, dropping by 49% in the same period. Only 783 metric tonnes of cardamom were exported in the first quarter, a significant drop from the 1,525 metric tonnes exported during the same period last year.

Other Export Trends

The Mechi Customs Office also reported an increase in the export of plywood, broom grass, and veneer sheets during the first quarter of this fiscal year. However, the exports of ginger, Chhuri (a traditional knife), iron, and vegetables decreased compared to last year.

These trends highlight the fluctuating nature of Nepal’s export sector, with some products gaining momentum while others face setbacks.