ISLAMABAD: Fruit and vegetable exports of the country during the months of July and August, 2009 witnessed an increase of 5.49 per cent and 56.36 per cent respectively.

According to the data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistic, about 80,316 metric tons fruit of different kinds worth about $29.6 million were exported during the two months of the current financial year.

While, a total quantity of 64,438 metric tons of fruit was exported worth about $28 million during the same period, last year.

About 37,371 metric tons of vegetables were exported in the two months and earned about $8.392 million as compared to 20,104 metric tons worth $5.367 million during the period of July-August 2008.

The statistics showed that the export of leguminous vegetables (pulses) registered a 100 per cent increase during the months of July and August 2009.

Tobacco export from the country also remained on the rise and registered an increase of 42 per cent when compared with the same period of the last year.—APP