Pakistan food exports increased 1.62 percent to reach $ 5.75 billion during the first nine months of fiscal year 2024–25 (July -Marzo), compared to $ 5.66 billion of the previous year, according to the data published by the Pakistan Statistics Office (PBS).
Growth occurs despite the persistent inflation of food in the domestic market, with rice and sugar exports that carry the increase. Pakistan has registered 20 consecutive months for food export growth.
Among the key taxpayers, Basmati rice exports saw an increase of 8.78 percent in the value at $ 676.96 million, along with an increase of 21.78 percent in the volume to 663,980 tons.
On the contrary, non -basati rice exports decreased 9.87 percent in value to $ 2.08 billion, despite a marginal increase of 0.14 percent in the quantity to 4.02 million tons. General rice exports fell 5.91 percent, totaling $ 2.76 billion in value.
Sugar exports saw an exceptional jump. Initially limited to 150,000 tons under an export policy of June 2024, total sugar exports reached 757,779 tons for March, according to PBS figures.
The largest volumes were exported in December (279,273 tons) and November (166,283 tons), although exports were not reported in March.
Meat exports increased 0.99 percent, supported by new access to the market and the expansion of the slaughterhouse capacity. Fish and seafood exports increased by 8.15 percent, while fruits exports fell 5.04 percent and vegetable exports fell by 17.09 percent due to supply limitations.
The increase in rice exports was supported by the demand for traditional markets such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, along with new buyers in Bangladesh.
However, the internal price of Basmati rice increased abruptly to RS 400 per kg, which limits local consumption.
Despite mixed trends in all categories, officials see the general export performance as resistant under inflationary pressure and strict global market conditions.
Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the textile sector of Pakistan for achieving a record of $ 13,613 billion (approximately RS3,793 billion) in exports during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, an increase of 9.38% compared to the same period last year.
According to PBS data, this growth underlines the resilience of the textile industry and its continuous role as the backbone of the country’s export economy.
The prime minister praised both the government’s economic policies and the tireless efforts of the private sector to promote this progress.
March 2025 only registered $ 2.64 billion (approximately RS737 billion) in general exports, a monthly and annual increase.
