Exports of herbs through the Nepalgunj border have seen a significant rise in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2025/26.
According to Pabitra Kumar Khadka, Information Officer at the Nepalgunj Customs Office, herbs worth NPR 250 million were exported via Nepalgunj from the beginning of the fiscal year up to December 15. This marks an increase of NPR 100 million compared to the same period last year, when exports totaled NPR 146.27 million.
A total of 841,338 kilograms of various herb species were exported during this period. Popular exports include timur (Nepali pepper), kaulo, satuwa, cinnamon, bojho, and amala (Indian gooseberry).
Tanka Sharma, Chairperson of the Association of Herbs Entrepreneurs, noted that around 85 percent of these herbs are exported to India through the Nepalgunj border. He added that while exports have been increasing, collectors from mountainous districts face challenges in obtaining the necessary permissions from district headquarters to gather and export herbs.
The recent surge in herb exports highlights Nepal’s growing trade potential in medicinal and culinary herbs, especially in the Indian market.