Kathmandu, Jan. 21 -- The value of Nepal's coffee imports exceeded the value of its coffee exports by 42 percent in the last fiscal year 2017-18. According to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, the country earned Rs65.89 million by exporting 163 tonnes of roasted coffee beans while it spent Rs93.72 million on importing 84 tonnes of instant coffee.

Nepali coffee farmers receive only a small fraction of the final price due to the failure to add value and market Himalayan organic coffee in the global market, stakeholders said at an interaction programme on Sunday organised by the board. Nepal produces 513 tonnes of coffee annually.

There are over 100 coffee species. The two main varieties that are widely produced and sold are A...