Fruit, vegetable exports increase by 11pc, 45pc

[LahoreEstate]

ISLAMABAD: The fruit and vegetable export from the country during the first quarter of current financial year showed an increase of 11.24 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.

About 121,254 metric tons of fruit worth $44.327 million were exported during the first three month of current year as against the export of 94,583 metric tons of fruit costing $39.848 million during same period of last year.

During July-September 2009, about 43,983 million tons vegetable with a total cost of $10.842 million was send abroad as compared to 24,219 metric tons of $7.437 million, showing an increase of 45 per cent, said data released by Federal Bureau of Statistic.

However, the export of leguminous vegetable (pulses) decreased by 96.08 per cent during July-September 2009-10 as only 11 million tons of the commodity at a total cost of $0.12 million was exported.

Pakistan earned $7.529 million by exporting the spices as the export of the commodity was increased by 2.80 per cent during the period under concentration.

About 3,250 metric tons of the commodity was exported in first three month of current financial year as against 2,976 metric tons last year.

The meat and meat preparation export from the country also witnessed an increase of 37.85 per cent in July-September 2009-10.

During the first quarter of 2009-10 about 9,651 metric tons of meat and meat preparation were exported as compared to 5,626 metric tons of the same period 2008.

By exporting meat and meat preparations, $24.363 million was added to the foreign exchange reserves during the period under review as against $17.674 million achieved during the same period last year.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn...45pc-za-01