Garlic imports from China have dropped sharply over the past two months following stricter government restrictions. According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 16,798 metric tons of garlic from China in the month of Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December), but this figure plummeted to 610 tons in Magh (mid-January to mid-February) and further to just 349 tons in Falgun (mid-February to mid-March).
As of mid-March of the current fiscal year (FY), Nepal had imported garlic worth Rs 6.3 billion from China. However, in the last month, imports fell drastically to Rs 45.9 million. Major border crossings with China have seen minimal garlic imports, with the Tatopani border crossing recording none since mid-January. "Previously, large quantities were imported through Tatopani, but imports have now completely stopped," said Surya Prasad Kafle, information officer at the Tatopani Customs Office.
The government tightened customs regulations after detecting unusual import patterns. A government study confirmed that a significant portion of Chinese garlic entering Nepal was being smuggled into India. The surge in imports coincided with a spike in garlic prices in India, despite Nepal not officially exporting garlic to its southern neighbor. This suggested smuggling of garlic to India because the volume of imported garlic far exceeded domestic consumption.
The price hike in India resulted from a production decline in major garlic-producing states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Many farmers in these states switched to other crops due to low garlic prices in previous years. Additionally, drought conditions disrupted garlic planting and harvesting cycles, further reducing output last season.
By December, garlic prices in India had surged to INR 500 per kilogram, prompting the country to import garlic from Afghanistan. However, with the arrival of new domestic harvests, prices have now dropped significantly.
To curb the suspected smuggling, the Government of Nepal has imposed stricter import restrictions on Chinese garlic. In early February, the Plant Quarantine Office in Biratnagar halted the entry of 29 metric tons of Chinese garlic, which had been shipped by sea. The consignment, valued at Rs 3,785,130 and ordered by Goyal Enterprises of Biratnagar, was denied clearance.
A senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development noted that Nepal’s garlic production is limited and primarily consumed domestically. According to government data, Nepal cultivated garlic on 9,570 hectares in the fiscal year 2022/23, yielding 73,567 tons. In FY 2021/22, production stood at 74,763 tons from 9,943 hectares, while in FY 2020/21, it was 72,490 tons from 9,784 hectares.
The Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center also conducted a study after reports of unusually high garlic imports from China. Prakash Poudel, the acting chief of the center, stated that following the study, all relevant offices have been instructed to verify importers' details against new compliance standards before approving "entry permit" requests.
