28/07/2013 (Pakistan Observer) - Edible oil import in the country during the first seven months of current financial year registered decreasing trend as import of palm oil slipped by 16.16 percent as compared to the same period of last Fiscal Year. According to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) palm oil import in the country during July-January, 2012-13 stood at 125,729 metric tons valuing US$ 46.68 million which was recorded at 1,275,921 metric tons in same period of last year.

However, the import of soyabean oil in the country witnessed slight increase as it grew by 13.36 percent and country spent US$ 46.681 billion on its import to fulfill the domestic requirements of the commodity.

During the period under review soyabean oil import in the country was recorded at 36,487 metric tons costing US$ 46.681 million which stood at 31,702 metric tons valuing US$41.181 million in same period of last financial year. Meanwhile year on year basis, the import of soyabean oil fell by 60.61 percent during the month of January, 2013 as compared to same month of last financial year.

While the import of palm oil increased by 3.22 percent in January 2013 as compared to the same month of last financial year, the data revealed. The import of all other food item during July-January, 2012-13 decreased by 18.68 percent and reached to US$ 744.98 million as against US$ 916.14 million of same period of last FY. The commodities which witnessed negative growth in their import included sugar by 77.89 percent, spices by 33.28 percent and pulses by 8.91 percent.