LAHORE: Food group exports from the country during first seven months of current fiscal year registered increase of 6.3 per cent whereas food imports in the country decreased by 8.5 per cent as compared to same period of last fiscal year.
During the period from July 2013 to January 2014, different food commodities worth $ 2.657 billion exported as compared to $ 2.449 billion of same period last fiscal year.
According to official data rice exports from the country grew by 21.46 per cent as about 1,762,090 metric tonnes of rice worth $ 1.211 billion were exported. The rice export from the country during the same period of last year was recorded at 1,787,225 metric tonnes valuing $ 0.997 billion, it revealed.
Exports of basmati rice increased by 5.18 per cent, while rice other than basmati increased by 29.65 per cent during the period under review. During first seven months of current fiscal year, about 309,879 metric tonnes of basmati rice worth $ 341.42 million were exported as compared to 345,863 metric tonnes valuing $ 334.11 million of same period last fiscal year.
During the period under review, fish and fish preparation exports from the country grew by 11.26 per cent as about 82,470 metric tonnes of fish and fish products worth $ 200.41 million were exported which was earlier recorded at 80,495 metric tonnes valuing $ 180.137 million in the same period of last fiscal year.
Similarly during the first seven months of current fiscal year, meat and meat preparations also witnessed growth of 4.09 per cent and reached 44,612 metric tonnes worth $ 140.16 million as against 39,105 metric tonnes exported worth $ 134.66 million during the same period of last fiscal year.
On the other hand, food imports in the country during the period from July-January decreased by 8.95 per cent and recorded at $ 2.374 billion as compared to $ 2.608 billion in the same period of last fiscal year.
The major food commodities which registered negative growth in their imports during the period under review include tea imports reduced by 26.63 per cent; soybean oil by 24.12 per cent and palm oil by 10.31 per cent respectively.
From July 2013 to January 2014, 73,834 metric tonnes of tea for domestic consumption costing $ 162.64 million was imported which fell from import of 74,027 metric tonnes valuing $ 221.86 million of same period of last fiscal year.
