February 22: Nepal imported watermelons worth Rs 139.1 million in the first six months of the current fiscal year.

According to the data of the Department of Customs, Nepal imported around 51,84,329 kg of watermelons during this period. In the same period of last year, Nepal imported 23,03,188 kg of watermelons worth Rs 62.7 million. Compared to the same period last year, the import of watermelon has doubled this year.

In Nepal, the annual import of this fruit, which can be easily grown on the banks of rivers and in fields, is increasing by two folds every two years.

In the fiscal year 2076/77, Nepal imported 1,14,70,568 kilograms of watermelons worth Rs 296.3 million. In the fiscal year 2077/78, a total of 1,67,29,502 kg of watermelons worth Rs 415.63 million were imported into the country.

During the last fiscal year (FY 2078/79), Nepal imported 2,16,04,453 kilograms of watermelons worth 562.6 million which is almost double the imports in  2076/77 in terms of both the value and quantity of imports. The data shows that the annual import of watermelon is doubling every two years.

Amar Baniya, President of Kuleshwar Fruit Market, told New Business Age that the commercial production of watermelon in Nepal is not able to meet the local demand and the quality of the produce is also not good.

He says that the demand for watermelon is also high because of health benefits and its consumption has increased because there is even more demand for it in big hotels. However, Nepali farmers have not been able to benefits from the increasing consumption of watermelons due to the lack of production in Nepal. Baniya said that due to lack of domestic production, they have to import watermelons from India to meet the demand.

This year, the farmers of Nepal are not able to produce watermelon so far. He says that because the watermelons of Nepal are available only in May and June, the market demand is met by imported watermelons from India before the domestic produce is available in the market.

Since the weather is favorable for watermelon production in India round the year, watermelons are imported from the southern neighbour for twelve months. Baniya also added that the daily consumption of watermelon is around 50 tons.

At present, the wholesale price of watermelon is Rs 30 to 40 per kg. Watermelon grows in hot terai areas, but its commercial cultivation has not been done in all places of Nepal. Baniyan says that the demand for watermelon is more in summer than in winter and the demand from hotels is more during winter.

Bhavna Adhikari (Pokharel), director of Jhapa-based Paradise Agro Firm, said that there has not been watermelon production this year. She says that the production has decreased because the seeds did not ripen on time.

She claimed that even after production, watermelons do not find market. So, the farmers' interest in its cultivation is also declining.

Nutritionist Supriya Bhattarai says that as watermelon contains 92 percent water along with vitamin 'A' and 'anti-oxidant', it is very beneficial for health. According to her, in addition to giving benefits to immunity, its seeds also contain nutrients such as folate, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, amino acids and vitamin 'B' in abundance.

These nutrients boost the body's natural metabolism. It is considered very good for common people to eat 150 grams of watermelon daily, says Bhattarai.