Q1 - food exports up 8.2%, imports up 11%

Mr. Ron Kobrovsky, chairman of the Manufacturers Association's Food Industries Association said last week that food, beverages and tobacco exports rose in first quarter of 2005 by 8.2% compared with the corresponding quarter of 2004.
 
Total food exports reached $171 million.
 
Manufacturers Association's Food Industries Association also noted that in first quarter, domestic foods sales were unchanged at NIS 9.7 billion compared with the corresponding quarter of 2004.
 
Kobrovsky noted that the increase in exports was due to 35% surge in exports to the US, compared with the corresponding quarter, reaching $25 million. Exports to the EU, however, rose by only 2.6% to $78 million.
 
Kobrovsky also noted that imports rose in the first quarter by 11% to $290 million. Imports from Europe rose by 16%, and imports from the US was down by 12%.
Employment in the food sector was also unchanged at 57,000 people.