New Delhi, Jan. 27 Imports of sensitive items rose 34.5 per cent in April-October 2009 at Rs 35,487 crore from Rs 26,378 crore during the corresponding previous period, according to official data released on Wednesday.
Imports of milk and milk products grew 376.6 per cent to Rs 131.16 crore during the period, while that of tea and coffee rose 88.7 per cent to Rs 185.39 crore. Imports of edible oils jumped 73.3 per cent to Rs 14,204.70 crore from the previous year's Rs 8,195.45 crore. The imports of crude edible oil and refined oil were up 83 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively. The higher edible oil imports is mainly due to a substantial increase in import of crude palm oil and its fractions, a Commerce Ministry statement said.
The other sensitive items whose imports were up include pulses (54.3 per cent), rubber (49 per cent), spices (15.3 per cent), foodgrains (9.9 per cent), and fruits and vegetables (8.1 per cent) besides other items including bamboo, cocoa, copra and sugar (2462.6 per cent worth Rs 1748.09 crore). However, imports of alcoholic beverages declined 13.8 per cent in April-October 2009 to Rs 184.91 crore, while that of automobiles fell 40.3 per cent to Rs 583.28 crore.
The gross import of all commodities during April-October 2009 was Rs 7,16,535 crore, a 21.8 per cent decline from Rs 9,16,483 crore during the same period of the previous year. Thus, import of sensitive items constitutes 2.9 per cent and 5.0 per cent of the gross imports during last year and current year respectively.
Source : Business Line