In response to the rising demand for wheat in the domestic market, the Government of Nepal has decided to import 200,000 metric tonnes of wheat from India, the state-owned news agency RSS reported.

According to RSS, this move follows complaints about a price hike caused by a limited supply of wheat. To address the issue, the government initiated the import process to stabilize the market.

Baburam Adhikari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, told RSS that coordination with the Indian government is ongoing to facilitate the wheat import. He also mentioned that the Indian government has shown a positive response to the deal.

Additionally, the ministry has warned industrialists not to raise the prices of wheat products, emphasizing that those creating artificial shortages to inflate prices will face punishment.

India, the world's second-largest wheat producer, banned wheat exports in May 2022 as part of measures to control rising domestic prices, the Times of India reported.

Such a measure was taken to ensure food security amidst global supply disruptions.

For Nepal, India has allowed a quota system for wheat exports, offering a specific amount of wheat to be exported despite the ban.

According to the Wheat Flour Industry Association of Nepal, 36 mills in the country utilize 6.5 million tons of wheat annually. About 70 percent of wheat required for industrial purposes is obtained from domestic production. The remaining 30 percent is imported from other countries including India. Apart from India, Nepal also imports wheat from Mexico, China, Japan, Thailand, the UK and Bangladesh.