Citrus fruit market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

Citrus fruit production in Nepal rose from 490.4 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 663.0 thousand tons in 2022, before moderating to 638.1 thousand tons in 2023. Market volume followed a similar trajectory, climbing from 616.2 thousand tons to 691.5 thousand tons over the same period, as a sharp decline in imports from 125.9 thousand tons to 22.2 thousand tons shifted the market toward domestically sourced fruit.

The expansion from 2020 onward aligned with a global surge in consumer demand for citrus, particularly lemons, limes, and easy-peel varieties, driven by health-conscious preferences and the growing popularity of natural citrus extracts in foods and beverages. Favorable weather in key world producing regions in 2021 supported broader supply availability, while urbanization and busier lifestyles boosted demand for convenient citrus concentrates and purees, contributing to Nepal's production growth and larger market size.

In 2023, both output and market volume experienced a slight contraction, interrupting the steady climb. This dip occurred despite sustained worldwide interest in citrus flavors and premium, sustainably sourced products, indicating that local factors such as weather or agricultural conditions may have temporarily constrained supply.

Production citrus fruit in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Nepal's citrus fruit production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 548.3 K t of citrus fruit, marking a slight rise of 0.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 490.4 K t. That year also saw the largest decline, with a drop of 0.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production surging by 11.2%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Nepal

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for citrus fruit from Nepal showed considerable volatility during these years. The highest export volume was observed in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2020, resulting in a 34-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Nepal exported 0.0 K t of citrus fruit, which represents a dramatic year-on-year decrease of 95.3%. The largest increase in exports was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 18.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India played a dominant role in Nepal's citrus fruit exports in kind, consistently accounting for 96.4% of the total export flows.

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

The export market in value terms displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. The peak-to-trough amplitude was most pronounced from 2018 to 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference. In 2020, citrus fruit shipments from Nepal to abroad reached 15 K $ US, reflecting a sharp drop of 66.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 K $ US, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 44 K $ US. The largest increase was also in 2019, with a surge of 245.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, India and the United Kingdom were the key destinations for Nepal's citrus fruit exports in value terms, together accounting for 97.7% of total flows. Other trading partners were much less significant individually.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Nepal

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for citrus fruit in Nepal exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 4.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the volume of citrus fruit imports into Nepal was recorded at 45.2 K t, amounting to a robust gain of 11.2% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was in 2018 at 125.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 67.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a jump of 329.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, citrus fruit imports into Nepal were largely oriented towards India, whose share in total imports in kind reached 99.9%.

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

Foreign citrus fruit supplies to Nepal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Nepal imported approximately 22 705 K $ US of citrus fruit, which is 13.3% higher compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 69.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 99.9% of total imports in value terms of citrus fruit to Nepal was directed to India, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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