Oranges market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the orange market volume in Nepal reached 153 thousand tons, heavily reliant on imports of 111.4 thousand tons, while domestic production stood at 41.6 thousand tons. Farmers faced poor marketing networks and the highly perishable nature of the fruit, hindering the expansion of orchards. By 2019, imports plummeted to 21.3 thousand tons, shrinking the total market to 65 thousand tons, even as production grew to 43.8 thousand tons.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains and led to import restrictions, prompting consumers to shift towards locally produced fruit. This supported a rise in domestic production to 49.4 thousand tons, while imports partially recovered to 29.6 thousand tons, expanding the market volume to 79 thousand tons. In 2021, persistent supply-side constraints from the pandemic and political instability caused a dip: production fell to 47.6 thousand tons, imports to 25.3 thousand tons, and the market contracted to 72.8 thousand tons.

Inflation and ongoing supply chain issues continued to pressure the market in the following years. Demand for citrus fruits remained firm due to growing health-conscious trends, but imports kept declining, reaching 13 thousand tons in 2023. Production stabilized around 48.5 thousand tons, and the overall market volume gradually decreased to 61.5 thousand tons by 2023.

Production oranges in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

Orange production in Nepal has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Nepal produced 49,370 tonnes of oranges, which represents a 12.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 26.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%.

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

Exports oranges from Nepal

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for oranges from Nepal showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nepal exported 0.0 thousand tonnes of oranges, marking a sharp decline of 74.5% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, which represented an increase of 544.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom dominated Nepal's orange export market in terms of volume, accounting for 79.3% of total exports. Other markets had relatively minor shares during this period.

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 value of orange exports from Nepal exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, with a 200-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Nepal exported oranges worth 2 thousand US dollars, which was 89.3% lower than in 2019. The peak export value was recorded in 2019 at 23 thousand US dollars, representing an increase of 6,444.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nepal's orange exports in value terms were almost entirely concentrated on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 97.1% of total export 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 oranges to Nepal

Imports in kind, K t

The import data for oranges into Nepal reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes were at their minimum in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2018, showing a 5.7-fold shift. In 2020, Nepal imported 29.6 thousand tonnes of oranges, which was 39.1% higher than the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 111.4 thousand tonnes, marking an increase of 467.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 80.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all of Nepal's orange imports in terms of volume were sourced from India, which held a 99.9% share of total import flows.

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 value of orange imports into Nepal has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Nepal imported oranges worth 10,000 thousand US dollars, which is 49.2% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 54.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 6,840 thousand US dollars, representing a decline of 20.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the import market structure was highly concentrated, with India alone responsible for 99.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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