January 28: The government’s plan to export citrus fruits to China has suffered a setback after the northern neighbor denied permission for such deal.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development had signed an agreement with China’s Agriculture Department to export citrus fruits to the northern neighbour.

The Chinese government has delayed implementation of the agreement as a precautionary measure against coronavirus after the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus in China and many other countries.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development had earlier claimed that it would start exporting citrus fruits to China from late January this year. However, China sent a letter to the government stating that it would not be able to import citrus fruits from Nepal this year citing security reasons at a time when the Government of Nepal had completed the preparation to export such fruits to China. Spokesperson at the ministry Dr Shree Ram Ghimire confirmed that China delayed implementation of the agreement citing security risk.

“We had completed all the preparations for exporting citrus fruits to China but the plan could not materialize due to China’s stance. We are hopeful that the fruits will be exported during next season,” said Dr Ghimire.

The farmers have now started selling the fruits in the domestic market.

Citrus fruits are mostly produced in hill districts of Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Doti, Dadheldhura, Baitadi, Okhaldhunga, Lamjung, Dhankuta, Palpa, Taplejung among others.

According to government data, Nepal produces 177,000 metric tons of oranges, 39,000 metric tons of lemon and 43,000 metric tons of mandarin oranges annually.

Citrus fruits are cultivated in 56 districts of Nepal, but only 44 districts have started commercial farming.

Oranges produced in the country make up for 80 percent of the market demand while the remaining 20 percent is imported from foreign countries, according to the government data.