Soybean and Sunflower Oil Trade Booms Through Birgunj Checkpoint

Imports and exports of soybean and sunflower oil through the Birgunj customs checkpoint have surged sharply this fiscal year.

According to Deepak Lamichhane, Chief Customs Administrator at the Birgunj Customs Office, crude soybean oil imports reached Rs 52.58 billion in the first 11 months of the fiscal year, a rise of over 613% compared to Rs 7.37 billion during the same period last year.

Refined soybean oil exports have also skyrocketed. Nepal exported 2.58 million liters worth Rs 55.3 billion this year, a huge jump from just 464,138 liters worth Rs 88.3 million last year.

Similarly, crude sunflower oil imports grew to Rs 9.75 billion, up from Rs 8.4 billion the previous year. Exports of refined sunflower oil also saw significant growth, reaching 38.9 million liters worth Rs 8.4 billion, compared to just 527,291 liters exported last year.

Officials say the rise is linked to increasing demand in the international market and Nepal’s role in reprocessing crude oil for export.