April 23, 2012

Pakistan's 2011-12 meat, fish exports indicate positive growth

During the first three quarters of the current fiscal year (2011-12), Pakistan's exports of meat and fish as well as their preparations witnessed positive growth of 13.88% and 12.12%, as against the same period of last year.

Similarly, exports of fruits during the period under review increased by 15.25% as compared to the same period of last year, according to official data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Exports of meat and meat preparations increased from US$108.542 million during July-March (2010-11) to US$123.606 million during July-March (2011-12), showing growth of 13.88%. In terms of quantity, the meat exports increased by 2.28% by going up from 37,829 tonnes to 38,691 tonnes.

On the other hand, the exports of fish and fish preparations grew from US$198.698 million to US$222.788 million, showing increase of 12.12%. However, in terms of quantity, the seafood exports decreased by 3.18% by falling from 87,272 tonnes to 84,498 tonnes, the data revealed.

The exports of fruits also surged by 15.25% during the first three quarters, from US$239.222 million to US$275.712 million.

On month basis, the exports of meat during March 2012 increased by 4.12% as compared to the exports of February 2012, however decreased by 2.79% when compared to the exports of March 2011.

Similarly, exports of fish and fish preparations in March 2012 increased by 30.97% when compared to the exports of February 2012, however decreased by 3.24% when compared to the same month of last year.

Fruit exports during the month under review witnessed increase of 17.24% as compared to the exports of March 2011, however decreased by 43.39% against the exports of February 2012. The overall food exports during July-March (2011-12) decreased by 5.06% as compared to the same period of last year.

Food exports were recorded at US$2.976 billion this year against the exports of US$3.135 billion last year. The major commodities that witnessed decrease in exports included rice, vegetables, wheat and spices. While the commodities that witnessed positive growth in exports included leguminous vegetables (Pulses), tobacco, oil, seeds, nuts and kernels, sugar, and all other food items.