The office of Israel’s trade commissioner in the United States today reported that Israel’s export reached $240,000,000 in 1961, $26,000,000 more than in the prior year of 1960. Industrial exports amounted to $110,000,000 as compared with $91,000,000 in 1960. Israel’s exports since 1956 rose by $128,000,000,000–an increase of 114 percent.
Diamonds cut and polished in Israel are first on the export list, amounting to $70,000,000. Israel’s diamond industry specializes in the production of melees, and it is estimated that it now produces almost the total world production of meless.
Exports of textiles and clothing amounted to $25,000,000 in 1961. Exports included regular and synthetic yarns, fabrics, fashionable knitwear, raincoats, bathing suits, underwear, hose and gloves. The textile industry occupies first place in Israel in terms of value of output and number of workers.
Exports of citrus fruit, long known as Israel’s traditional export item, exceeded $40,000,000 in 1961. Exports of the food industry totaled $17,000,000. Principal export foods were citrus products, wines, sweets and chocolates and dehydrated soups. The food supply in Israel has for a few years outdistanced the local demand, with the result that the efforts of the producers are increasingly bent on exports. The U.S. bought goods worth $31,000,00 as compared with $28,000,000 in 1960.
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