ISLAMABAD  - Food imports into the country decreased by 8.22 per cent during the first nine months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The food imports into the country during July-March (2013-14) were recorded at $3.076 billion against the imports of $3.35 billion during July-March (2012-13), according to the latest figures of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The food commodities that contributed in the negative trade of food products included tea, imports of which decreased by 25.22 per cent by falling from $296.159 million last year to $221.678 million during the current year.
The imports of palm oil also decreased from $1.543 billion to $1.367 billion, showing decline of 11.41 per cent while the imports of pulses leguminous vegetables) decreased from 269.114 million to $214.792 million, showing negative growth of 20.19 per cent, the data revealed.
Similarly the imports of all other food items decreased by 13.36 per cent by falling from $979.617 million last year to $848.704 million this year.
On the other hand, the food commodities that witnessed upward trend in trade included milk, cream and milk food for infants, imports of which increased by 18.59 per cent by going up from $100.388 million last year to $119.053 million this year.