Import of sensitive items during April-June 09

The total import of sensitive items for the period April-June 09 has been Rs.13509 crore as compared to Rs.9608 crore during the corresponding period of last year thereby showing an increase of 40.6%. The gross import of all commodities during same period of current year was Rs.248171 crore as compared to Rs.334191 crore during the same period of last year. Thus import of sensitive items constitutes 2.9% and 5.4% of the gross imports during last year and current year respectively.

Imports of automobiles, products of SSI and alcoholic beverages have shown a decline at broad group level during the period. Imports of all other items viz. edible oil, fruits & vegetables (including nuts), cotton & silk, rubber, spices, marble & granite, milk & milk products, tea & coffee and food grains have shown increase during the period under reference.

In the edible oil segment, the import has increased from Rs.2572.24 crore last year to Rs.5546.53 crore for the corresponding period of this year. The imports of both crude edible oil as well as refined oil have gone up by 108.2% and 168.2% respectively. The increase in edible oil import is mainly due to substantial increase in import of crude palm oil and its fractions.

Imports of sensitive items from Indonesia, China P RP, Myanmar, United States of America, Malaysia, Ukraine, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Benin, Cote D’ Ivoire, Australia etc. have gone up while those from Korea RP, Germany, Thailand etc. have shown a decrease.(EOM)