Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried lentils are a staple pulse in Nepal (dal) and a notable export commodity in surplus years. Production is largely smallholder-based in the Terai belt, with traders and pulse mills aggregating, cleaning, and grading for domestic distribution and export—often via Indian transit corridors.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter; staple domestic consumer market
Domestic RoleStaple pulse for household consumption (dal) with significant wholesale and milling trade
Specification
Packaging- Bulk bags (commonly woven polypropylene sacks) sized to buyer requirements for wholesale and export shipments
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest → field drying → threshing/initial cleaning → grading/sorting → bagging → warehouse storage → inland transport → export/customs clearance
Temperature- Ambient dry storage; moisture control is critical to prevent mold growth and quality deterioration
Shelf Life- Shelf-stable when kept dry; storage pests and moisture uptake are primary deterioration risks during warehousing and transit
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Trade Policy and Transit HighNepal is landlocked and much of the lentil export flow depends on border procedures and transit through India; shifts in India’s pulses import policy or border/transit disruptions can abruptly delay or block shipments and depress export prices.Diversify destination markets and routings where feasible; monitor India DGFT/Customs updates; use buyer contracts with clear delivery terms and contingencies for border delays.
Logistics MediumInland transport bottlenecks, border congestion, and container availability can create shipment delays and cost spikes that erode margins for bulk lentil exports.Build lead-time buffers, pre-book transport capacity during peak export windows, and maintain alternative consolidators/forwarders for cross-border moves.
Quality and Storage Pests MediumStorage pests and moisture uptake during warehousing or transit can increase damaged grains and contamination risk, leading to buyer claims, re-cleaning costs, or rejection in stricter markets.Implement moisture monitoring, good warehouse hygiene, pest management controls, and pre-shipment sampling against buyer specifications.
FAQ
Which Nepal authority issues phytosanitary certificates relevant to lentil exports?Phytosanitary inspection and certification for plant-origin exports is handled by Nepal’s Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre (PQPMC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, when required by the destination market.
What is the single biggest trade-disruption risk for Nepal’s dried lentil exports?Because Nepal is landlocked, exports often depend on transit through India. Changes in India’s pulses import policy or border/transit disruptions can quickly delay or block shipments and reduce demand.
Is Nepal mainly a producer or an importer for dried lentils?Nepal is a producer market where lentils are a staple domestic food and also an export commodity in surplus years, with production and export statistics tracked by organizations such as FAO (FAOSTAT) and ITC Trade Map.
Sources
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) — FAOSTAT — crops and livestock products (lentils) for Nepal
International Trade Centre (ITC) — ITC Trade Map — HS 071340 (lentils) trade indicators for Nepal
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Government of Nepal — Agriculture statistics publications covering pulses/lentils production
Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre (PQPMC), Government of Nepal — Phytosanitary inspection and certification guidance for plant-origin exports
Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), Government of Nepal — Food quality and safety regulatory references applicable to pulse products
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India — India import policy notifications relevant to pulses (including lentils)
Department of Customs, Government of Nepal — Export customs procedures and documentation references