LAHORE: Food exports from the country during first five months of current financial year increased by 2.63 percent whereas imports of food decreased by 8.21 percent.
From July-November, 2013 food commodities worth US$ 1.61 billion exported which was recorded at US$ 1.57 billion during corresponding period of last year, said the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
During period under review rice exports registered 17.76 percent growth and reached at 99,247 metric tons worth US$ 681.78 million as against 964,069 metric tons valuing US$ 578.94 million of same period last year.
In first five months, fish and fish preparations exports posted 15.94 percent increase and reached to 58,706 metric tons valuing US$ 146.50 million as against last year’s exports of 54,340 metric tons worth US$ 126.35 million in same period last year.
Meanwhile, country exported about 218,203 metric tons of fresh fruits and added US$ 143.49 million in national forex reserves which was up by 39.60 percent as compared 191,739 metric tons valuing US$ 102.79 million during first five months of last financial year.
The data reveled that exports of vegetables and leguminous vegetables (pluses) increased by 33.19 percent and 186.60 percent respectively.
During the period under review 197,855 metric tons vegetables costing US$ 63.23 million exported as compared to 109,378 million tons exports of same period last year.
About 3,186 metric tons of leguminous vegetables (pluses) exported to earn US$ 0.2780 million which was recorded at 1,203 metric tons valuing US$ 0.970 million in first five months of last financial year.
The other commodities which observed positive growth in their exports during last five months included tobacco by 28.60 percent, oil seed, nuts and kernals by 101.66 percent meat and meat preparations by 0.47 percent
respectively.
The commodities which witnessed negative growth in their exports including wheat by 82.10 percent, spices 25.57 percent and sugar by 32.70 percent. On the other hand imports of food commodities in the country during first five months of current financial year went down by 8.21 percent and reached at 1.71 billion as compared to US$ 1.86 billion in same period of last year.
Import of milk cream and milk food for infants decreased by 20.70 percent and recorded at 17,648 metric tons costing US$ 52.29 million during last five months as compared to 25,536 metric tons valuing US$ 65.94 million of last year.
Meanwhile, tea and spices import also decreased by 26.57 percent and 7.97 percent respectively. Tea import came down from US$ 147.7 million and reached to US$ 108.4 million during the period under review whereas spices import US$ 28.03 million from US$ 30.46 million.
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