02/12/2013 (Pakistan Observer) - Import of edible oil in the country including soyabean and palm witnessed decreasing trend during first four months of current financial year as compared to same period of last year. During the period from July-October, 2013, the import of soyabean oil decreased by 20.28 percent and reached at 29,701 metric tons costing US$ 31.488 million. According the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics the import of soyabean was recorded at 30,596 metric tons valuing US$ 39.49 million in same period of last year.

During the period under review, palm oil import decreased by 11.28 percent and reached at 756,373 metric tons costing US$ 615.130 million which was recorded at 662,130 metric tons worth US$ 693.35 million in corresponding period of last year. However, the data reveled that on month on month basis, the import of soyabean oil and palm oil increased by 128.22 percent and 43.16 percent respectively. In month of October, 2013 country spent US$ 5.2 million to import 5,341 metric tons of soyabean oil which was recorded at 1,698 metric tons of US$ 2.2 million during same month of last year, it added.

Meanwhile, during last month palm oil import swelled by 43.16 percent and reached at 192,258 metric tons costing US$ 153.677 million against the imports of 106,087 worth US$ 107.344 million of same period last year, the data reveled. On the other hand, food group imports in country during first four months of current financial year decreased by 9.10 percent as compared to same period of last year. From July-October, 2013, food group imports reached at US$ 1.38 billion which was recorded at US$ 1.51 billion in same period of last year, said the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

During the period under review, imports of edible oil including soyabean and palm oil decreased by 20.28 percent, 11.28 percent respectively.