KATHMANDU: Nepal imported rice and rice grits worth Rs 3.64 billion during the first three months of the current fiscal year 2083/84. According to data released by the Department of Customs, a total of 38.17 million kilograms of rice and grits were imported between mid-July and mid-October.
The significant outflow of capital for food imports resulted in the government collecting Rs 327.73 million in revenue. The reliance on foreign rice continues due to insufficient domestic production to meet internal demand.
The majority of the imported grain originated from India. Data shows that imports from India included 14.45 million kg of basmati rice, 22.88 million kg of other varieties of rice, 649,660 kg of rice grits, and 314 kg of husked rice.
Beyond India, smaller quantities of rice were sourced from other nations. Thailand supplied 500 kg of rice, while Vietnam exported 35 kg of husked rice and 189,000 kg of other rice varieties. Additionally, Italy and Poland supplied 1,080 kg and 560 kg of other rice, respectively.
