Exports of food products witnessed increase of over 68 percent during the first half of the current financial year as against the corresponding period of the last year. Pakistan exported food commodities worth $1.64 billion during July-December (2008-09) as against the exports of $0.97 billion recorded during the same period of last financial year, according to figures released by Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).
Of those, the exports of rice were increased by 109 percent during the period under review. Rice of $1.12 billion was exported during these six months as against exports of $536 million during July-December, 2007-08.
Exports of fish and fish preparations were also increased by 25 percent by growing from $89.8 million during July-October (2007-08) to 112.2 billion recorded during July-December 2008-09.
Exports of leguminous vegetables (pulses) witnessed increase of 140 percent by increasing from $1.4 million to 3.38 million while export of spices export was recorded at $14.8 million in July-December 2008-09 against exports of 12.9 million during last year, showing an increase of 14.93 percent.
Meat and meat preparations witnessed increase of 49.64 percent while export of other food items was increased by 5.17 percent. However, export of vegetables during the period under review was declined by 32.93 percent. Similarly, export of tobacco was declined by 16 percent, oil seeds and nuts and kernels by 9.35 percent.