Ban Imposed on Almond Imports Following Restrictions on Banana, Mango, Avocado, and Coriander
The government has enforced stringent biosecurity measures to control the spread of devastating diseases and pests that may enter Nepal through imported agricultural products. Due to non-compliance with phytosanitary standards set by the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre, consignments of almonds arriving from India have been stopped at the border. Agricultural experts have recommended that the federal government declare pocket zones and initiate special programs to increase self-reliance and boost domestic production of crops such as almonds.
Kathmandu, 18 July – What happens if devastating diseases or pests originating overseas enter Nepal through imported agricultural products? Experts warn that such an occurrence could cause unimaginable damage to Nepali agriculture and biodiversity. Nepal’s biological system is unique; foreign pests arriving in Nepal’s new and suitable environment often lack natural predators to keep them in check. As a result, they spread uncontrollably and destroy indigenous crops from fields to storage. In light of these risks, the government has tightened biosecurity and imposed strict monitoring and conditions on imported agricultural products.
Following increased restrictions on agricultural commodities like bananas, mangoes, coriander, and avocados, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment’s Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre has also applied stringent entry conditions on almonds (peanuts), their seeds, and kernels coming from India. Since 7 July, new standards have been enforced, and transport vehicles carrying almonds from India have been prevented from entering Nepal due to non-compliance, according to senior crop protection officer Prakash Paudel of the Plant Quarantine.
According to the ministry’s circular, every almond consignment from India must fully comply with Nepal’s specified biosecurity standards. These include obtaining a phytosanitary certificate issued by India’s National Plant Protection Organization, which must affirm that the almonds are free from prohibited pests as prescribed by Nepal.
It is mandatory to declare and certify that the almonds are completely free of devastating pests and diseases such as lesser mealworm, Mediterranean flour moth, bacterial fruit blotch, blackeye cowpea mosaic virus, cowpea mild mottle virus, and peanut stripe virus. Prior to import, the almonds must be fumigated with methyl bromide at a rate of 32 grams per cubic meter for 24 hours at a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, accompanied by laboratory test reports. Packaging must also be sanitized.
“Almond consignments sent from India to Nepal have been halted at the border because the necessary additional declarations and documents were not provided,” said senior crop protection officer Paudel. “Only consignments that meet the criteria and are certified will be allowed entry into Nepal.” He added that importers failing to comply with regulations will not be granted entry permission under any circumstance.
Almonds produced in India have a record of these pests and diseases. This strict government regulation is not new; similar provisions have existed since the 2015 Gazette but have only recently been effectively implemented. The quarantine committee now requires that potential biological threats (diseases/pests) be explicitly stated when granting entry permission for any item, and guarantees through phytosanitary certificates must be obtained. To safeguard the nation’s biodiversity, risk assessments based on citizen petitions will determine national import conditions. In cases where specific pests or diseases are not regulated in exporting countries, the committee assesses national lists and issues alerts as needed. “The almond restrictions follow this process to prevent the introduction of foreign pests and diseases,” Paudel explained.
How much almonds does Nepal import from India? Almonds, categorized under oilseed crops, were imported from India worth NPR 216,922,000 in the 11 months of the 2025/26 fiscal year. The total quantity imported was 17,051,864 kilograms (approximately 17,051.86 tons). Nepal mainly imports three types of almonds: seeds, raw almonds with shells, and shelled kernels. The majority imported are shelled kernels valued at NPR 134,383,600 and weighing 9,044,333 kg (9,044.33 tons). Raw almonds with shells are the next highest, with imports of 8,001,151 kg (8,000 tons) valued at NPR 81,602,200. Seeds for sowing are also imported, with a quantity of 7,380 kg (7.38 tons), valued at NPR 1,064,000.
The Indian market almost monopolizes Nepal’s almond supply. Out of a total imported 17,051.86 tons, 17,051.14 tons originate from India. Imports from China are minimal at 713 kg worth NPR 89,000, including 35 kg of seeds, 403 kg of raw almonds with shells, and 275 kg of shelled kernels. Small quantities are also imported from Qatar, Israel, Malaysia, and Thailand. From Qatar, only 1 kg of raw almonds with shells was imported, and from other countries, just 1 kg of shelled kernels each.
Agricultural experts note a significant potential for domestic almond self-sufficiency given Nepal’s suitable climatic and soil conditions, yet lack of policy focus and commercial attention has led to heavy dependence on imports. Dr. Subas Suvedi, coordinator of the National Oilseed Research Program in Sarlahi, stated, “Nepal has the capacity to be completely self-reliant in almond production. Increasing local production would keep valuable financial resources within the country.”
Currently, about 3,000 to 3,500 hectares across Nepal are under almond cultivation, producing approximately 4,500 to 5,000 tons annually. Almond farming is prominent in Bara, Rautahat, and Sarlahi in the Madhesh Province as well as in Surkhet, Dang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Doti in the west, and Morang and Jhapa in the east. The Nepal Agricultural Research Council has developed eight improved almond varieties. The newly released Nawalpur Almond-1 variety yields the best production, with 2 to 2.5 tons per hectare compared to the national average of 1.5 tons. Almond cultivation requires well-drained, slightly sloped, and high-altitude loamy soil but can also be grown in less suitable land by knowledgeable farmers. Seed costs are estimated at NPR 2,500 for a 30 Kattha (roughly 1 Bigha) plot. Nepka maintains a stock of 3 tons of essential seeds, sufficient for three years of production, although current demand for commercial seed use by farmers is low. Dr. Suvedi noted that the number of farmers engaging in almond cultivation is gradually increasing.
To promote almond farming, declaration of pocket zones is necessary. Typically, almonds are cultivated from mid-June to mid-July in Nepal, but in some districts like Rupandehi, planting is also possible in February and March. Dr. Suvedi emphasized the need for policy improvements to support almond cultivation. “We have the technology, quality varieties, and sufficient seed, but delivering these resources to farmers remains the main challenge,” he said. “By declaring pocket zones in certain districts and supporting programs through federal government grants, the cultivation can be expanded.”
Restrictions have also been tightened on bananas, mangoes, coriander, and avocados. Following detection of pests during market monitoring on coriander from China and avocados from Uganda, similar measures have been applied to bananas and mangoes from India. Due to risks of Panama disease (TR4) in bananas and harmful pesticide residues and pests in mangoes from India, entry conditions have been reinforced. Officials stated the government’s policy is to first impose strict conditions rather than an outright ban; however, if those conditions are not met and pests are found, a complete import ban will be enforced.
While these border restrictions may be inconvenient for traders, agricultural experts emphasize that biosecurity is a matter of life and death for Nepal, an agrarian country rich in biodiversity. The damage caused by foreign pests or diseases when introduced to Nepal is enormous. “When foreign pests arrive in Nepal, without natural predators, they proliferate uncontrollably causing devastating impacts on all crops,” said senior crop protection officer Paudel. These harmful pests tend to be polyphagous, shifting from one crop to another if their preferred host is unavailable. If new pests enter through coriander, avocado, or almonds, it could devastate not only those crops but also fields, vegetables, fruits, and stored grains. Once a pest or disease spreads in the country, controlling it becomes nearly impossible. Recognizing the risk of agricultural investments worth billions being lost and the threat of severe food shortages, the government has instituted these strict regulations.