Pakistan’s food exports showed a mixed performance in the first nine months of FY25, with total earnings reaching $5.75 billion.
This represents an increase compared to $4.66 billion in the same period last year, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The sugar sector experienced strong growth, with exports totaling 757,779 tons by March, far surpassing the government’s 150,000-ton export quota set for June 2024. Shipments peaked in December at 279,273 tons before stopping completely in March.
Rice exports exhibited varying trends, with the overall value declining by 5.91% to $2.76 billion, mainly due to weak performance from non-basmati rice.
Basmati rice defied this trend, posting a 21.78% volume increase to 663,980 tons and an 8.78% value growth to $676.96 million.
New markets in Bangladesh helped balance the reduced demand for non-basmati varieties, which fell 9.87% to $2.08 billion. The basmati rise drove domestic prices up sharply from Rs. 150 to Rs. 400 per kg.
Other food categories showed varying results in meat exports increased by 0.99%, fish products grew by 8.15%, while vegetables and fruits declined by 17.09% and 5.04%, respectively.
The export growth came despite challenges in some sectors, with basmati rice and sugar leading Pakistan’s agricultural export growth this fiscal year.