Nepal’s Edible Oil Exports
23-Jul-2025 04:15 PM
Nepal’s Edible Oil Exports
★ Nepal’s exports of refined soybean, sunflower, and palm oil surged by 1,537 percent—over 15 times—compared to the previous fiscal year.
★ This sharp rise in edible oil exports has significantly reshaped Nepal’s trade dynamics.
★ Argentina has now become Nepal’s third-largest trading partner, surpassing the United States, mainly due to increased imports of crude edible oils.
★ Nepal exported 576,563 tonnes of refined soybean, sunflower, and palm oil, almost entirely to India.
★ To support these exports, Nepal imported 958,901 tonnes of crude palm, sunflower, and soybean oil.
★ Nepali traders have been leveraging the zero-tariff benefit offered under the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
★ Exports of edible oil from Nepal to India surged after India raised the basic import duty on crude and refined edible oils by up to 20 percent in September, aiming to protect domestic oilseed producers.
★ This move by the Indian government created an opportunity for Nepali refiners and exporters, who capitalized on the price gap and rapidly increased shipments to the Indian market.