ISLAMABAD (APP) - Seafood exports from the country surged by 54.90 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year as against the same period of last year. The fish and fish preparations exports stood at $53.055 million during July-September (2010-11) as against the exports of US$34.252 million recorded during the corresponding period of last year, according to figures provided by Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) here. On the other hand, the fish and fish preparations exports during September 2010 increased by 55.60 percent and 30.07 percent against the exports of August 2010 and September 2009 respectively. The fish and fish preparations exports during September 2010 were recorded at US$ 23.355 million against the exports of US$ 15.010 million in August 2010 and US$ 17.956 million in September 2009. Exports of overall food group witnessed increase of 8.27 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year against the same period of last year. The food exports were recorded at US$677.867 million in July-September (2010-11) against the exports of US$626.076 million during last year. The food items showing positive growth in exports during July-September (2010-11) included rice (14.01 percent), vegetables (25.73 percent), tobacco (42.71 percent), spices (11.42 percent) and meat (58.45 percent). The food items that witnessed negative growth in exports during the first quarter included wheat (100 percent), oil seeds, nuts and kernels (71.45 percent) and all other food items (33.53 percent), the data added.