Buckwheat market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

Nepal's buckwheat market volume grew consistently from 11 266 t in 2018 to a peak of 19 350 t in 2022, an increase of over 70%. This expansion was driven by a sharp rise in domestic production, which more than doubled from 11 472 t to 19 290 t over the same five-year period.

In 2023, the market contracted to 15 398 t, primarily due to a drop in production to 15 083 t. During this year, the Meghalaya Farmers' Empowerment Commission in India developed a strategy to improve regional buckwheat cultivation, including frost-tolerant varieties and farmer training, to facilitate the region's first export consignment, which may influence future trade dynamics in South Asia.

Production buckwheat in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Nepal ranked as the 14th largest producer of buckwheat globally.

Top producers of buckwheat, 2017-2020

World map of production of buckwheat, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Nepal's buckwheat production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 11 724 tonnes of buckwheat, representing a modest year-over-year increase of 2.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 11 464 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nepal in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After a two-year downturn, Nepal's buckwheat production value showed improvement. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 306 thousand US dollars, marking a 12.2% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 055 thousand US dollars, with the most significant decline occurring in 2018 at 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nepal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports buckwheat from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their peak in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, showing an 11.9-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Nepal's buckwheat shipments abroad totaled 62.0 tonnes, reflecting a sharp year-over-year decrease of 91.6%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 738.1 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 36.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nepal in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of buckwheat from Nepal, accounting for 99.6% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Nepal in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export values peaked in 2019 and declined to their lowest level in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 10.9 times. In 2020, Nepal exported 12.2 thousand US dollars worth of buckwheat, equivalent to a 90.8% drop compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 132.3 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 33.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nepal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on India, which absorbed 97.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Nepal in value, 2017-2020

Imports buckwheat to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. A 18-fold variation was noted between the maximum in 2017 and the minimum in 2019. In 2020, Nepal's buckwheat imports reached 105.3 tonnes, up by 137.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 44.3 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 90.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nepal in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India and China remained the principal suppliers of buckwheat to Nepal, together accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Nepal in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values peaked in 2018 and bottomed in 2019, differing by 9.3 times. In 2020, Nepal imported 57.9 thousand US dollars worth of buckwheat, indicating a 108.3% advance relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 27.8 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 257.4 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 89.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nepal in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China and India captured most of Nepal's buckwheat imports in value terms, jointly taking 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Nepal in value, 2017-2020