Millet market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the millet market volume in Nepal increased from 329.5 thousand tons to 359.7 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by heightened regional awareness and demand, driven by Indian government initiatives such as declaring 2018 the National Year of Millets and integrating millets into national nutrition missions. Increased millet exports from India and the establishment of minimum support prices facilitated higher imports into Nepal, which grew from 15.5 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 22.2 thousand tons in 2021.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 326.6 thousand tons, with domestic production falling to 310.8 thousand tons. Concurrently, the region saw significant developments, including India's designation of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, the launch of 109 new millet varieties, and the entry of major companies like Marico with new millet-based product lines such as Saffola Masala Millets.

For 2024, millet imports into Nepal were recorded at 16.4 thousand tons, while exports commenced at 0.1 thousand tons. Regional momentum continued with government production-linked incentive schemes, significant start-up funding for millet-based snacks, and the adoption of advanced technologies like AI and blockchain to improve supply chain transparency.

Production millet in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Nepal ranked 14th globally in millet production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Nepal's millet production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 321.0 K t of millet, a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 4.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Exports millet from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2020, while the highest was recorded in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 8.2 times. In 2020, Nepal exported 4 t of millet, representing a sharp decline of 87.8% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was 32 t in 2019, and the largest increase was 217.1% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Japan were the leading destinations for Nepal's millet exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 49.4% of exports, Hong Kong for 27.5%, and Japan for 11.3%, together making up 88.1% of 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 market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest export value was observed in 2020, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.8 times. In 2020, Nepal's millet exports amounted to 5 K $ US, indicating a sharp decline of 87.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was 37 K $ US in 2019, and the largest increase was 235.4% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong were the core markets for Nepal's millet exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.1% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports millet to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Nepal's millet imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 21 074 t of millet, marking a 23.0% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 76.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, millet imports to Nepal were sourced almost entirely from India, which accounted for 100.0% of total imports in kind.

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

Nepal's millet imports from abroad rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 5 918 K $ US, which is 38.4% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 92.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India dominated Nepal's millet import structure in value terms, consistently representing 100.0% of total import flows.

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

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