KARACHI, Nov 23: The import and export of food items registered a sharp increase during the first four months (July-October) of this fiscal year amid crop losses caused by the floods.

The imports under the food group swelled to $1.653 billion during July-October 2010 from $1.043 billion while exports of food items rose to $952 million from $856 million in the corresponding period of 2009.

However higher food imports did not bring any relief to the consumers as the prices had risen due to devaluation of the rupee against the dollar.

Data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) on Tuesday revealed that overall rice exports (basmati and others) fetched $631 million (1,103,193 tons) in July-October as compared to $534 million (940,838 tons) in the same period last year.

Consumers had already been paying high prices for meat products due to heavy exports and smuggling of livestock. Meat exports rose to $47 million (17,018 tons) as compared to $31.3 million (11,707 tons) while fruit exports stood at $55.6 million (121,833 tons) as compared to $56 million (141,566 tons) in July-October 2009. There has also been no substantial relief in vegetable prices since July.

However, export of vegetables during July-October 2010 plunged in quantities to 43,933 tons but fetched $16.7 million as compared to 58,028 tons ($15 million) in the same period of last year. Export of spices was recorded at $13.6 million (5,248 tons) as compared to $11.3 million (5,004 tons).

Fish exports rose to $84 million (38,965 tons) as compared to $59 (26,423 tons). Marine Fisheries Department Director-General Moazzam Khan linked the hike in exports to improved landing of shrimps, cuttle fish and squid at the harbour and these items also got good price in markets like Egypt, China and South Africa.

Besides, exports of Cat Fish and Mullet were also made to Bangladesh while shrimp (with head on) was sent by air which fetched premium price, he added.

Palm oil and soyabean oil imports reached $583.5 million (682,932 tons) and $17 million (15,416 tons) in July-October 2010 as compared to $376 million (520,457 tons) and $1.6 million (1,270 tons) in 2009, respectively.

A branded ghee packer linked the higher imports of palm oil and soyabean oil to 50 per cent increase in demand during Ramazan.

Owing to low sugar production and high prices, the government had initiated sugar imports to stabilise prices. Sugar imports hit $375 million (560,185 tons) as compared to $112 million (226,402 tons).

Pulses imports rose to $143 million (207,495 tons) as against $74.7 million (140,566 tons) in July-October 2009.

Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association Chairman Anis Majeed attributed the higher imports pulses to lower production of desi chic peas. He said Pakistan was importing green moong after seven years due to crop devastation in Punjab.

To meet demand in winter season, dry fruit imports increased to $28 million (37,372 tons) as compared to $23 million (29,079 tons).

Tea imports recorded at $102 million (33,943 tons) as compared to $82 million (30,752 tons) in July-October 2009.

The import of milk, cream and milk food for infants registered at $41 million (9,242 tons) as compared to $26.6 million (12,320 tons).

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