13 October 2024, Kathmandu
The playing cards market in Nepal is steadily growing, emerging as a multi-million-dollar business opportunity. In 2023/24, the country saw a surge in the import of playing cards, with total imports amounting to approximately NPR 322 million.
Nepal’s Playing Card Market Booms
This marks a nearly 50% increase from the previous year’s figure of NPR 213 million, with around 90% of these imports coming from China.
Despite the growing demand for playing cards—especially popular during festivals like Dashain and Tihar—Nepal currently lacks a major domestic manufacturer.
The majority of playing cards are imported primarily from India and China.
With the market expected to reach NPR 500 million by the end of this fiscal year, there’s a lucrative opportunity for local entrepreneurs to tap into this growing industry.
The demand for playing cards, long a favored pastime in Nepali households during festive seasons, highlights the potential for a homegrown playing card manufacturing industry.
If local producers step up, they could significantly reduce Nepal’s dependence on imports and capitalize on the booming market.
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