ISLAMABAD: According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan’s raw food exports rose to $5.75 billion during the first nine months of FY25, from $4.66 billion in the same period last year.
Sugar exports reached 757,779 tonnes by March, far exceeding the government’s export allowance of 150,000 tonnes announced in June 2024. Monthly data showed steady shipments in December reaching 279,273 tonnes, with no exports reported in March.
Unlike FY25, sugar exports in FY23 were limited to 212,896 tonnes during the three months.
Rice accounted for a large share of export earnings. Total rice exports fell 5.91 per cent to $2.76 billion due to a decline in non-basmati varieties, with basmati rice performing strongly. Basmati shipments increased by 21.78% in volume to 663,980 tonnes and by 8.78% in value to $676.96 million. Non-basmati rice exports declined by 9.87% in value to $2.08 billion.
New rice markets such as Bangladesh helped sustain growth, along with continued demand from the EU and UK. However, the increase in export demand pushed up prices of local basmati rice to Rs. 400 per kg, up from Rs. 150.
Meat exports recorded a marginal increase of 0.99% in 9MFY25.
Vegetable exports declined by 17.09% while fruit exports declined by 5.04%. Fish and fish products exports grew marginally by 8.15% during the same period.
