Pakistan’s Food Exports Grow with Rice Shipment Support
Pakistan’s food exports have risen strongly, and so far, during the first half of FY25, have risen by 13.83% to $3.96 billion, from $3.48 billion in the same period last year. Most of this increase came from higher shipment of rice.
Despite higher food inflation, Pakistan’s exports of food commodities have continued to increase for 17 consecutive months. The figures for higher exports contribute to the market capturing higher prices for the consumers, due to supply and demand imbalances.
As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, rice exports are major contributors to bringing overall increases in food export numbers. Rice exports increased by 14.5% during the first half of FY25, valued at $1.87 billion.
Basmati rice exports increased by 30.62% in quantity, which reached 416,491 tonnes, while its value grew by 18.06% to $433.82 million. Non-basmati rice exports also experienced a rise of 13.47% in value, amounting to $1.44 billion, while its quantity rose by 17.35%, amounting to 2.643 million tonnes.
New markets, including Bangladesh, are opening up for Pakistani rice, further enhancing the sector’s growth prospects. Rice exports remain a key driver for Pakistan, especially in the European Union and the UK.
However, with increased demand for rice, domestic prices have risen. The price of basmati rice has soared over the past two years, from Rs150 per kg to Rs400 per kg, thus limiting its availability for local consumers.
Other food exports also increased. Sugar exports jumped to 632,804 tonnes from just 33,101 tonnes during the same period last year. Meat exports rose by 3.64% as new markets and more companies joined the export sector, although meat prices have also shot up sharply in the domestic market. The price of buffalo meat, for instance, has doubled in the past few years.
Vegetables, including onions, rose 1.71%, followed by fruit exports with 1.32% decline and fish and fish products reporting a slight growth of 1.47%.
In general, the food exports. sector of Pakistan has remained in very good shape — both rice, sugar, and meat. But even with higher prices at home, it seems to go on its merry way.
