The imports of cooking gas (liquefied petroleum gas) and avian turbine fuel (ATF) via the Birgunj point decreased last fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year.

Data have shown that the import of cooking gas decreased by four per cent while the import of jet fuel witnessed a significant fall of 71 per cent.

According to Birgunj Customs Office's information officer Raghulal Karna, during the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), a total of 290,287 metric tons of cooking gas amounting to Rs 33.13 billion was imported while it was 267,048 metric tons worth Rs 30 billion last fiscal year.

The imports went down by 11,238 metric tons.

Similarly, the data indicates that 597,144 kiloliters (KL) of jet fuel worth Rs 17.31 billion were imported during the fiscal year 2078-79 BS (2021-22) via the point against 173,484 KL last fiscal year. However, the value of the fuel imported last fiscal year was Rs 18.21 billion due to an increased price of ATF.

Despite a reduction in the imports of cooking gas and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), the imports of diesel and petrol increased. Diesel imports rose by four per cent, while petrol imports soared by two per cent compared to the previous year.

For the fiscal year 2079/80 (2022-23), diesel imports amounted to Rs 113.58 billion for 1,040,506 KL, and petrol imports totalled Rs 38.24 billion for 389,711 KL. In the previous fiscal year, diesel imports were valued at Rs 109.29 billion for 1,083,520 KL, and petrol imports at Rs 39.02 billion for 394,723 KL.

Notably, 70 per cent of Nepal's fuel requirements are addressed through supplies via Birgunj.