Nepal Imposes Stricter Rules on Apple Imports from China

Nepal has introduced stricter rules for importing apples from China, citing the risk of high-risk pests and diseases not previously seen in the country.

The Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre has implemented the new rules, which require a special ‘Chinese Phytosanitary Certificate’ to be issued with each shipment of apples from China, guaranteeing that the apples are free from high-risk pests and diseases.

New Rules

The new rules, which came into effect on Tuesday, require the certificate to include an additional declaration that the apples are free from 27 high-risk pests and diseases, including eight that are banned in Nepal.

If any of these pests or diseases are found, the shipment will be rejected, and the importer will not be entitled to any compensation.

Previous Imports

Imports of apples from China have been increasing in recent years, with Nepal importing apples worth over Rs 169 million (approximately $1.4 million USD) in the 11 months from Shrawan to Jestha in the last fiscal year.

This represents a significant increase from the previous year, when Nepal imported apples worth Rs 98.9 million (approximately $830,000 USD) during the same period.

Importers’ Responsibilities

Under the new rules, importers will be required to keep detailed records of their shipments, including the origin, quantity, and quality of the apples, as well as any treatments or certifications they have received.

Importers will also be required to implement ‘batch tracing’ to ensure that any problematic shipments can be quickly identified and removed from the market.

Government’s Concerns

The government has expressed concerns about the potential risks of importing apples from China, citing the risk of introducing new pests and diseases that could harm Nepal’s agricultural sector and biodiversity.

Experts have warned that if these pests and diseases were to become established in Nepal, it could have serious consequences for the country’s fruit production and biodiversity, and could also lead to significant economic losses.