ISLAMABAD, Jul 20: Pakistan exported different food commodities valuing $5.418 billion in financial year 2021-22, as compared to the exports of $4.392 billion during the same period of the last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The food group exports in FY 2021-22 grew by 23.37%. However, the imports registered an 8% growth compared to the corresponding period of last year as food commodities valuing $9.015 billion were imported during the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2022.

During FY 2021-22, the imports of wheat reduced by 19.12% as it came down from $983.326 million to $795.285 million. Import of dry fruits and nuts decreased by 16.78% and it was recorded at $65.250 million as compared to $78.403 million in the previous year. Import of spices went down by 3.81% and registered at $216.184 million against the import of $224.747 million during the same period last year.

The commodities with increase in imports included tea which grew by 7.86% as tea valuing $626.197 million was consumed in fiscal year 2021-22 against that of $580.546 million during the same period of last year. The other commodities that posted growth in imports included soyabean oil which grew by 106.41%, hitting $197.156 million; palm oil by 33% to $3.549 billion against $2.668 billion in the fiscal year 2020-21.

In fiscal year 2021-22, rice exports grew by 23% and reached $2.511 billion; fish and fish preparations increased by 3.87% to $430.654 million. The country earned $0.068 million by exporting different pulses.

The export of oil seeds, nuts and kernels increased by 104.88%, reaching $192.861 million. The export of meat and meat products recorded a 3.36% growth and stood at $342.788 million in the said period. The export of tobacco in FY 2021-22 witnessed a growth of 51.24% to reach $54.384 million.

Credits: INP-WealthPk