Kathmandu, April 16 -- The export of refined soybean oil from Nepal to India has surged dramatically, raising concerns among Indian oil producers who claim the trade violates the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) rules.

Data from Nepal's Department of Customs shows that exports of refined soybean oil to India surged more than 60 times in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, which ended in mid-March, compared to the same period last fiscal year.

During this period, Nepal exported 228,548 tonnes of refined soybean oil worth Rs47.94 billion. In comparison, only 3,691 tonnes worth Rs754.14 million were exported during the previous year's period.

Meanwhile, Nepal imported 341,975 tonnes of crude soybean oil worth Rs51.35 bil...