Tea import decreases 5.45pc in first half

ISLAMABAD: Tea import into the country during first half of current financial year decreased by 7.99 percent as compared the imports of the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from July-December, 2016-17, about 107,408 metric tons of tea worth $257.584 million imported to fulfill the domestic requirements as compared to imports of 91,090 metric tons worth $279.953 million of same period of last year.

According the data, during last two quarters, spices import into the country also reduced by 5.45 percent as 85,331 metric tons of spices valuing $64.852 million imported as compared to the imports of 77,155 metric tons worth $68.595 million of same period of last year.

During the period under review about 6,115 metric tons of sugar valuing $2.558 million imported as compared to 7,671 million worth of $4.02 million of same period of last year.

During the first half of current financial year, food group import increased by 9.04 percent as compared to same period of last year.

Different food commodities worth $2.846 billion were imported into the country in last two-quarters as compared to the imports of 2.626 billion of same period of last year.

The other commodities which registered witnessed positive growth in their imports included milk cream and milk food for infants by 1.23 percent, dry fruits and nuts by 28.70 percents and palm oil by 1.73 percent respectively.