ISLAMABAD: The exports of fish and fish preparations surged by 14.69 per cent during the first eight months of current fiscal year (2011-12) against the corresponding period of last year.

The exports of fish and fish preparations were recorded at $195.284 million during July-February (2011-12) as against the exports of $170.274 million during July-February (2010-11), according to data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

However, in terms of quantity, the fish exports witnessed nominal increase of 0.34 per cent by going up from 74,265 metric tons to 74,518 metric tons.

On month-on-month basis, the seafood exports also witnessed positive growth of 13.88 per cent during February 2012 when compared to the same month of last year.

The fish exports during February 2012 were recorded at $21 million against the exports of $18.441 million during February 2011.

However, as compared to the exports of $21.401 million recorded during January 2012, the exports during February witnessed negative growth of 1.35 per cent, the data revealed.

In terms of quantity, the fish exports increased by 5.57 per cent in February 2012 when compared to the exports of February 2011, however decreased by 2.62 per cent when compared to the exports of January 2012.

The overall food exports from the country witnessed nominal increase of 0.59 per cent during the first eight months by going up from $2.601 billion during July-February (2010-11) to $2.616 billion in July-February (2011-12).

The food products that witnessed increase in exports during the period under review included rice (other than basmati), exports of which increased by 2.91 per cent, fruits (15.02%), leguminous vegetables (1,315%), tobacco (37.85%), oil, seeds, nuts and kernels (59.84%), meat and meat preparation (16.46%) and other food products

(45.80%).

The commodities that witnessed negative growth in exports included basmati rice (17.78%), vegetables (36.69%), wheat (53.22%) and spices (1.49%).

The overall exports from the country during the period under review witnessed negative growth of 0.48 per cent by going down from $15.263 billion to $15.189 billion.

Imports into the country during the period increased by 16.36 per cent, from $25.600 billion to $29.788 billion.

Based on the figures, the trade deficit during the first eight months of the current fiscal year was recorded at $14.599 billion, against the deficit of $10.337 billion last year, showing an increase of 41.23 per cent.