ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: The import bill of edible oils increased by 61.16 per cent to $224.86 million, constituting nearly 58 per cent of the food group bill during the first five months of 2002-03, as compared to corresponding period previous year.

The total quantity of palm oil and soybean oil imported was 524,652 tons — 14.09% more than the corresponding period of previous year, according to the foreign trade data made available by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS). Interestingly, the surge in palm oil imports continues to accelerate despite the 42.90 per cent increase in its rate to $427.55 per ton.

In fact, the soyabean oil import is on decline with a little over 12,000 tons imported this year as against previous year’s 20,000 tons. On the other hand, the import of palm oil soared by about 17%. Consequently, the share of edible oils in total import bill ($4.74 billion) rose to 4.74%, that is, 1.40% more than last year.

By contrast, the crude oil import dropped by a sharp 13.18% to nearly 2.76 million tons. Likewise, its share in total import bill plummeted. It was 11.34%, as against 13.70% during the same period of previous year.

The main contributor to the 13.73% rise in total import bill over the corresponding period of previous year was machinery group. It accounted for 21.79% ($1.03 billion) of the import bill, denoting an increase of 2.41%.

Major imports in this group are the categories designated “textile machinery” which, with imports amounting to $178.04 million, registered a decline of 11.27% from previous year.

Next largest consumer of foreign exchange in this group is the category “roadmotor vehicles”. This category, with imports worth $166.72 million, registered an increase of 33.43%. “Electrical machinery & apparatus” is another category with a massive 46.86% increase in imports. Its import bill stood at over $68 million.

Petroleum group imports stood at $1.16 billion during the period under review, albeit 1.68% less. This group constituted 27.89% of total import bill as against 28.37% during the corresponding period of previous year.

Under the “agricultural and other chemicals group”, the country imported 755,735 tons of chemical fertilizer — nearly 17% less than during previous year. But in dollars, it had to pay 8.02% more, due to rise in unit price.

The FBS data shows mixed trend as regards the import of industrial raw materials and intermediate goods. The general impression, however, is that of declining industrial activity in the country during the period under review.

Thus the imports of plastic materials increased by 13.64% to 187,649 tons, but those of medicinal products declined by more than a quarter. In both cases, a significant spurt in unit price is indicated by the FBS data.

Similarly, all the categories of items in metals group dropped by 10.49%. In the miscellaneous group, import of crude rubber declined by 5.03%, jute by 16.81% and paper & paper board, etc. by 12.27%. But the items import of which increased were: Aluminium wrought & worked (33.59%), wood & cork (129.69%).

According to FBS data, the country imported over 1.43 million rubber tyres and tubes, denoting an increase of 14.7% over previous year. This points to a trend towards import of finished product.

The imports of “others” continued their surge. The import bill on their account was $874.33 million, 31.41% more than previous year. It accounted for 18.45% of total import bill, as against 15.96% of previous year.

FOOD GROUP: With imports worth 417.89 million, imports of foodstuffs increased by 36.33%. It accounted for 8.82% of total import bill. In fact, however, the food group import bill was lower than the given figure. This is because it includes $28.71 million on account of import of 151,683 tons of wheat by the United Nations agencies for distribution in Afghanistan. Its value is shown as $28.71 million.