28/10/2011 (The News International) - Pakistan’s food exports rose by 38.5 percent to $993.71 million in July-September 2011 quarter from $717.45 million, showed figures released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).

Its food imports increased by 6.78 percent to $1.25 billion during the period from $1.175 billion recorded in the corresponded period of the last fiscal.

Rice export fell by 11.22 percent to $420.46 million from $473.62 million last year.

The exports of fish and fish preparation increased by 12.8 percent to $59.45 million, fruits by 43.13 percent to $65.28 million, vegetables by 77.26 percent to $23.34 million, and meat and meat preparations by 38.9 percent to $49.8 million.

Besides, exports of tobacco rose by 21 percent to $3.364 million, spices 48 percent to $12.49 million and oil seeds, nuts and kernals 136 percent to $5.55 million.

Wheat export stood at $93.73 million and that of leguminous vegetables (pulses) at $1.43 million.

Import of palm oil rose by 44.35 percent to $651.7 million from $451.48 million.

Soybean oil import surged by 83.75 percent to $26.45 million, milk cream and milk food for infants by 41.8 percent to $40.3 million, tea 4.26 percent to $85.17 million, spices 5.45 percent to $25.79 million and pulses (leguminous vegetables) by 18 percent to $109.93 million.