Food import drops by 1.69pc during first three quarters

ISLAMABAD: Food group import into the country during the first three quarters of current financial year has posted negative growth of 1.69 percent.

The country imported different food commodities costing US$ 3.846 billion during the period from July-March 2011-12 as against the import of $3.912 billion during same period of last year.

According the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the major commodities which registered negative growth in their import during last nine months of current financial year include wheat unmilled 100 percent, sugar 97.77 percent soyabean oil 26.16 percent, dry fruit and nuts by 0.27 percent.

During the period under review the import of pulses also remained on down track as its import in the country was decreased by 8.52 percent.

The import of wheat was recorded at 0 as against the its last year import of 8,901 metric tons costing US$ 5.1 million during first three quarters of last year.

The import of soyabean oil was recorded at 32,323 metric tons costing US$ 41.955 million during the period from July to March 2011-12 as compared with the import of 56,179 metric tons worth US$ 56.179 million.

The analysis of data showed that import of milk, cream and milk for infants was increased by 6.26 percent during last nine months as milk, cream and food for infants costing US$ 1.21 million were imported to fulfill the domestic requirements.

Sugar import was decreased by 97.77 percent during last nine months as its import was recorded at 19,168 metric tons valuing of US$ 15.126 million as against the import of 10,22,143 metric tons costing 677.145 million same period of last years.