ISLAMABAD
Seafood exports from Pakistan surged by 54.90 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year in comparison to a similar period last year.
According to figures revealed by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), fish and fish preparation exports stood at a mammoth $53.055 million during July-September 2010-11, compared to exports of $34.252 million recorded during the corresponding period of last year.
Fish and fish preparation exports enhanced by 55.60 percent in September 2010 in comparison to exports witnessed in September 2009. Exports climbed to $23.355 million, rising from a level of $15.010 million in August 2010 and $17.956 million in September 2009.
Exports of the overall food group witnessed an increase of 8.27 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year in comparison to a similar period last year. Food exports were recorded at $677.867 million in July-September 2010-11 compared to exports of $626.076 million the last year.
Food items, experiencing a growth in exports during July-September 2010-11, included rice, vegetables, tobacco, spices and meat with rises of 14.01 percent, 25.73 percent, 42.71 percent, 11.42 percent and 58.45 percent respectively.
Food items, which underwent a decrease in exports during the first quarter, included wheat, oil seeds and all other food items with declines of 100 percent, 71.45 percent and 33.53 percent respectively.