Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh carrot is produced in Bhutan, with the Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Census of Bhutan 2025 reporting 1,829 MT harvested in 2024. Production is concentrated in a few dzongkhags—especially Chhukha (1,147.50 MT) and Haa (400.66 MT)—with additional supply from Paro and Thimphu. Despite domestic output, Bhutan also imports fresh carrots from India (UN Comtrade via WITS reports HS 070610 imports in 2023). Availability and delivered cost are sensitive to cross-border land logistics and border biosecurity inspection at official entry points such as Phuentsholing (Pasakha).
Market RoleNet importer with meaningful domestic production
Domestic RoleDomestic vegetable crop with production concentrated in Chhukha and Haa
Market GrowthGrowing (2023–2024)2024 carrot harvest reported higher than 2023 in the IALC 2025 report
Specification
Physical Attributes- Imported plant and plant product consignments are inspected at entry for conformity with import phytosanitary conditions (including checks for infestation of regulated pests and signs/symptoms of pests and diseases, including invasive species).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic: farm production in key dzongkhags (e.g., Chhukha, Haa, Paro) → local aggregation/markets → retail/foodservice distribution
- Imports: India → trucked land transport → official entry point/Integrated Check Post (e.g., Phuentsholing (Pasakha)) → BFDA inspection/quarantine decision → inland distribution
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Logistics HighThe Phuentsholing–Thimphu highway is a vital lifeline for the majority of Bhutan’s import/export goods and is highly prone to rainfall-induced landslides; closures can severely disrupt trucked supply of fresh carrots and increase spoilage and stockout risk.Build buffer inventory ahead of peak monsoon disruption periods; use real-time road-closure monitoring; diversify sourcing between domestic dzongkhags and multiple cross-border suppliers where feasible.
Regulatory Compliance MediumBFDA plant quarantine is risk-based and can lead to quarantine measures and potential destruction of plant consignments when regulated pests are suspected or phytosanitary conditions are not met, creating loss and delay risk for importers.Use suppliers with strong field hygiene and packing controls; ensure complete and accurate phytosanitary documentation; align pre-shipment inspection to Bhutan’s import phytosanitary conditions where available.
Food Safety MediumVegetable supply chains face pesticide-use and residue-compliance risk in a context where agrichemical use is tightly regulated and agrochemical imports are controlled through authorized channels.Require supplier pesticide application records and compliant inputs; consider residue testing where buyer/authority risk warrants.
Market MediumImports from India remain an important supplementation channel for fresh carrots, creating exposure to cross-border logistics disruptions and supply/price volatility.Maintain multi-supplier procurement plans and coordinate sourcing from key domestic producing dzongkhags during import disruption windows.
Sustainability- Agrochemical governance and residue scrutiny: Bhutan regulates agrichemical use and restricts agrochemical imports to authorized agents with Department of Agriculture documentation and BFDA import permits.
Labor & Social- No widely documented product-specific labor controversy identified for carrots in Bhutan in the reviewed public sources (data gap; verify with local labor/NGO reporting if required).
FAQ
Where is fresh carrot production concentrated within Bhutan?The Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Census of Bhutan 2025 reports 1,829 MT of carrots harvested in 2024, with production heavily concentrated in Chhukha (1,147.50 MT) and Haa (400.66 MT), and additional production in Paro and Thimphu.
Does Bhutan import fresh carrots, and from which country?Yes. UN Comtrade data via WITS shows Bhutan importing carrots and turnips, fresh or chilled (HS 070610) from India in 2023.
What are the key SPS steps for importing fresh carrots into Bhutan at the border?Imports are declared at an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at an official entry point together with required SPS documents such as a phytosanitary certificate, and consignments may be referred to BFDA for risk-based inspection and quarantine measures depending on phytosanitary risk.
What is the single biggest risk that can disrupt fresh carrot supply into Bhutan?Landslide-driven road closures on the Phuentsholing–Thimphu highway, which is described as a vital import/export lifeline, can severely disrupt trucked supplies and cause delays and spoilage for perishable vegetables like fresh carrots.