Tea import into the country during the first two months (July-August) of current financial year registered an increase of 0.96 percent as about 19,745 metric ton tea costing US$ 56.55 million was imported to fulfill the domestic consumption.

The tea import was recorded at 22,187 metric tons worth US$ 56.0 million during the same period of last financial year, said data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).

However, sugar import during the period under review posted negative growth as the import of the commodity in the country was decreased by 97.77 percent.

During the period from July to August 2011 about 7,847 metric tons of sugar costing US$ 6.1 million was imported as against the import of 192,855 metric tons of US$ 117.7 million during same period of last year.

The import of soybean oil and palm oil registered an increase of 632.72 and 58.88 percent respectively as about 18,728 metric ton of soybean oil worth US$ 24.34 million and 388,473 metric ton of palm oil costing 464.4 million imported in the country during the period under review.

The import of these two commodities during July to August 2010-11 were recorded 2,789 metric ton and 352,695 metric tons worth US$ 3.3 million and US$ 292 million respectively.

The import of spices reduced by 11.79 percent as about 15,868 metric tons was imported against the import of 81,651 metric tons of same period last year.