Imports of sensitive items up 45 per cent

Imports of sensitive items, including fruits and vegetables and edible oils, went up by 44.7 per cent to Rs.75,948 crore in April-December, 2011, from Rs.52,492 crore in the year-ago period.

Import of fruits and vegetables soared to Rs.7,406 crore from Rs.3,833.8 crore, a Commerce Ministry statement said. Items such as foodgrains, automobiles, milk and beverages fall in the sensitive category and the import of these goods is monitored by the government to see if there is any adverse impact on the domestic industry.

Imports of edible oils rose by 67.6 per cent to Rs.34,854 crore from Rs.20,791.50 crore. India is the world's largest importer of edible oil and one of the largest consumers.

During the first nine months of the current fiscal, imports of items such as alcoholic beverages and spices also increased by 55 per cent and 70.3 per cent, respectively. Imports of products of small-scale industries such as umbrellas, locks, toys and glassware went up by 44 per cent to Rs.1,623 crore.

Automobile imports jumped by 71 per cent year-on-year to Rs.2,838.8 crore. However, imports of foodgrains and milk and its products contracted by 93.6 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively.