The imports of 300 sensitive items grew 27 per cent to Rs 14,621 crore (Rs 146.21 billion) during April-January, 2003-04, as compared to Rs 11,532 crore (Rs 115.32 billion) recorded during the corresponding period of the previous year.

The gross imports of all commodities during the period under review reached Rs 2,85,305 crore (Rs 2,853.05 billion) from Rs 2,40,966 crore (Rs 2,409.66 billion) during the same period of previous year, an official release said.

The import of sensitive items constituted 5.1 per cent and 4.8 per cent of the gross imports during 2003-04 and the previous year respectively.

The major item that has contributed significantly to the growth is crude palm oil and its fractions.

In the edible oil section, the imports increased to Rs 9,605 crore (Rs 96.05 billion) in April-January of 2003-04 from Rs 7,157 crore (Rs 71.57 billion) in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Import of crude oil grew by 20 per cent while refined palm oil and palmolein rose by 121 per cent.

The share of crude to the total edible oil remains as high as 76 per cent, indicating a better utilisation of the processing capacity in the country.