Food items top imports in March

Food items were the most imported category during the month of March, according to Maldives Customs Service.

The monthly statistics released by Customs show the food items imported in March, excluding pork, alcohol and tobacco, amounted to MVR 924 million.

The second most imported category was fuel, with MVR 706 million.

The third most imported category was machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical appliances, with MVR 596 million.

The top importing country in March was the United Arab Emirates with MVR 753 million. India placed second with MVR 696 million, and Oman placed third with 467 million.

Maldives exported MVR 344 million in fish in March. This included MVR 224 million in frozen skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, MVR 54 million in skipjack tuna, and MVR 11 million in yellowfin tuna.

66 percent of the fish were exported to Thailand.

Maldives generated MVR 330 million in customs revenue in March.