Rice exports show a remarkable increase of about 27% in the fiscal year 2018

About 4.106 million tons of rice worth US$ 2.073 billion, were exported during 12 months of the outgoing fiscal year, as compared to the exports of 3.523 million tons valuing US$ 1.606 billion during the corresponding period of last year.

The export of the above mentioned commodity has registered 26.78 percent growth, in rupee terms during the period under review, according to the data from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

During the period from July-June, 2017-18, about 520,759 metric tons of basmati rice worth US$ 540.231 million were exported, against 496,263 metric tons valuing US$ 453.441 million exported during the same period last year.

Quantity wise, the exports of basmati rice witnessed 19.14 percent growth from the exports in the previous year.

Meanwhile, the country earned US$ 1.496 billion by exporting rice other than basmati as about 3.585 million tons of other rice was exported as compared to the exports of 3.053 million tons worth US$ 1.153 billion, during the same period last year.

It may be recalled that the food group exports from the country recorded about 29.28 percent growth as the country earned US$ 4.797 billion exporting different food commodities. It earned US$ 3.711 billion in the corresponding period last year.

The other commodities which recorded positive growth in their exports during the period under review included fish and fish products by 14.57 percent, fruits and vegetables by 5.8 percent and 30.56 percent respectively.

During the period under review fish and fish products worth US$ 451.026 million, fruit and vegetables worth US$ 400.237 million and 241.426 million respectively were exported.

On the other hand the country spent US$ 6.185 billion on the import of food during last financial year, which was recorded at US$ 6.143 billion during the same period last year, showing an increase of 0.68 percent, the data added.

During last year country consumed about 183,321 metric tons of tea costing US$ 551.881 million as compared the 194.833 metric tons and US$ 523.790 million within same period of last year.

(APP)