According to the customs office, Nepal imported only 7,162 tons of apples through the customs, the largest overland import point from China, while in the same period last year, 10,698 tons of apples were imported. The import has gone down by 3,536 tons compared to the same period last year.[break]
Most of the apples supplied in the Nepali market are imported from China. It can be estimated that the Chinese apple importers have not given much priority to the Nepali market as the imports was down even during Dashain when apples are high in demand.
Last year, apples worth Rs 20.36 millions were imported in the first three months of the fiscal year while apples worth Rs 10.42 millions were imported in the same period this year, down by 48 percent compared to last year.
According to Nirmal Hari Adhikari, head of Tatopani Customs, import of Chinese apples may have gone down as Nepali apples have taken the market this year. Tanshi, Fuji, Jhole and Chhoijo varieties of Chinese apples are mostly imported from China.
As road has linked places like Humla, Jumla, Mustang and other places where apples are produced, Nepali apples have reached the market this year. This year Nepali apples have been sold in markets of Kathmandu, Pokhara and Nepalgunj.
“As the Chinese apples have reached the market even through Indian entry point, the import through Tatopani area may have gone down,” said Adhikari.
Apples worth Rs 800 millions were imported last year through Tatopani customs. During Dashain last year, apples worth Rs 170.5 millions were imported generating higher revenue. But this year along with the decline in imports, the revenue at the customs has also gone down.
Lat year during the first three months of the fiscal year revenue worth Rs 10.19 million was collected while this year only Rs 7.4 million was collected which is down by 37 percent.
Related story
Dried apples, a profitable product for Jumla farmers
