SATV, Kathmandu, Feb.25 - Nepal’s livestock sector has recorded a significant surge in exports in the current fiscal year 2025/26.

According to trade statistics from the Department of Customs, total exports of livestock-related products exceeded Rs. 15 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, marking a strong performance for the sector.

The data indicate strong growth, particularly in processed and value-added products.

Among the exported items, woolen carpets have emerged as the leading contributor to export earnings.

Combined exports of wool and carpets account for nearly two-thirds of the total export value.

During the review period, woolen carpets worth Rs. 6.4 billion and wool worth Rs. 3.4 billion were exported.

Similarly, animal feed materials worth Rs. 2.5 billion were exported during the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

Dog chew (chhurpi), a traditional hardened cheese product, has also increased during the first seven months of the fiscal year, reflecting growing international demand for Nepal’s dairy-based products.

Dog chew worth Rs. 2.3 billion was exported during the review period. This marks an increase compared to the same period last fiscal year, when dog chew exports amounted to Rs. 2.12 billion during the first seven months of last fiscal year.

Compared to processed goods such as carpets and dog chew, primary products such as meat, fish, honey, and live animals contributed relatively small amounts.

According to the statistics, dairy products worth Rs. 64 million, honey worth Rs. 45 million, live animals worth Rs. 30 million, meat products worth Rs. 23 million, and fish and fish products worth Rs. 14 million were exported during the first seven months of the current fiscal year.

Likewise, leather and leather products worth Rs. 254 million were exported during the review period.

Vice Chairperson of the Nepal Veterinary Council, Dr. Manoj Kumar Shahi, said the steady growth in exports indicates expanding market access and improved production capacity within the livestock sector.

He believes that continued support and market diversification could further strengthen Nepal’s position in the global market.

The export of goods related to livestock accounted for nearly 9 per cent of Nepal’s total exports during the review period.

Goods worth Rs. 168 billion were exported from Nepal during the first seven months of the current fiscal year.

He said that Nepal’s livestock sector benefits more from processed and finished products than from raw commodities.

He added that Nepal’s dog chew—also known as “chhurpi” or Himalayan chew—is emerging as a premium export in the global pet treat market, fueled by rising demand in the United States of America and beyond.

Nepal’s dog chew industry has shown impressive growth over the past couple of years. Exports of dog chew reached a record Rs. 4.5 billion in the last fiscal year 2024/25, compared to just Rs. 1.22 billion in the fiscal year 2019/20.

Shahi expressed hope that if the livestock products, including dog chew, can be further promoted in the international market, the exports will increase significantly.