The Mechi Customs Office reported a significant 69.22% increase in tea exports from Nepal during the first four months (Saun-Kartik) of the current fiscal year. A total of 8,062.16 metric tonnes of tea were exported, generating Rs 2.20 billion in revenue, up from Rs 1.31 billion during the same period last year.
Ganapati Kandel, Information Officer at the Mechi Customs Office, attributed the rise to increased outbound trade, which also boosted the value of the produce by 67.87%.
Decline in Other Exports
While tea exports soared, the Office noted a decline in other agricultural exports, including black cardamom, ginger, amriso, chhurpi, and vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. Compared to last year:
- Black cardamom exports dropped by 11.87%,
- Amriso fell by 11.66%,
- Chhurpi declined by 41.45%, and
- Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli exports collectively decreased by 27.98%.
In contrast, plywood exports showed a 29.63% increase during the same period.
Revenue Performance
The Mechi Customs Office collected Rs 4.72 billion in revenue during the first quarter, achieving 27.22% of its annual revenue target.
The surge in tea exports underscores the sector’s potential as a key driver of Nepal’s export economy, even as challenges persist in other agricultural and industrial exports.