Serious food for thought

Food imports into the country witnessed decrease of 9.02 percent during the first two months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of last year. The food imports into the country were recorded at $818.011 million during July-August (2012-13) against the imports of $899.062 million recorded during July-August (2011-12), according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics released here.
The major products that contributed in negative growth included tea, imports of which decreased by 24.72 percent during the period under review.
Tea imports into the country were recorded at $42.541 million in July-August (2012-13) against the imports of $56.512 million during July-August (2011-12). Imports of spices decreased by 8.71 percent by falling from $14.863 million to $13.568 million whereas the imports of palm oil decreased by 12.22 percent by going down from $466.360 million to $409.360 million.
Imports of sugar were recorded at $1.334 million during the period under review against the imports of $6.160 million last year, showing negative growth of 78.34 percent. On the other hand, the food items that witnessed positive growth included milk, cream and milk food for infants, imports of which increased from $28.602 million last year to $34.545 million during current year, showing growth of 20.78 percent.
The imports of dry fruits and nuts increased by 6.48 percent by growing from $15.767 million to $16.788 million whereas the imports of soyabean oil increased from $24.343 million to $29.755 million, showing increase of 22.23 percent. Similarly, the imports of pulses (leguminous vegetables) increased from $83.823 million to $93.293 million, showing increase of 11.30 percent.
Meanwhile, the imports of all other food items decreased by 12.73 percent by going down from $202.632 million in July-August (2011-12) to $176.827 million in July-August (2012-13), the PBS data revealed.
Meanwhile, during the month of August 2012-13 the food imports into the country witnessed decrease of 12.71 percent and 11.50 percent when compared to the imports of August 2011 and July 2012 respectively.
Food imports in August 2012 stood at $384.064 million against the imports of $439.965 million and $433.947 million in August 2011 and July 2012 respectively.