India's Farm Trade with Nepal
Nepal depends on India for rice, vegetables, fruits, pulses and many other foods, traded across an open border by road and rail.
Main Indian Farm Products Bought by Nepal
- Non-Basmati RiceNon-basmati rice is India's staple grain, eaten daily by hundreds of millions of people and bought on a huge scale by the government for the ration system. India is the world's largest rice exporter, shipping raw, parboiled and broken rice.
- OnionOnion is India's most politically sensitive vegetable. India is the world's second-largest grower, and its stored rabi onion supplies the country for half the year.
- PotatoPotato is India's most stored vegetable. Almost the whole crop is dug in spring and held in cold stores, and a growing share goes to chips and frozen fries.
- AppleIndian apples come from the Himalayan states, harvested from July to November and held in controlled-atmosphere stores into spring.
Ports and Logistics
Most trade moves by road through border towns such as Raxaul–Birgunj, Jogbani–Biratnagar, Sunauli–Bhairahawa and Panitanki–Kakarbhitta, and by rail to Birgunj.
How Exports Work
Exporters register with APEDA (for most farm and processed foods), the Spices Board, the Coffee or Tea Boards, or IOPEPC, depending on the product. Shipments need a phytosanitary certificate from India's plant quarantine service, a certificate of origin, and any health or residue certificates required by Nepal. India's export policy for some crops, such as onion, rice and wheat, changes often, so exporters check the current DGFT notifications before signing contracts.
- APEDAExport registration and promotionAboutExplore
- Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and StoragePhytosanitary certificatesAboutExplore
- DGFTExport policy notificationsAboutExplore
Related: All export markets · All crops
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