Pakistan’s Food Exports Rise Over $5.7 Billion in 9 Months of FY25

Pakistan’s raw food exports surged to $5.75 billion during the first nine months of FY25, up from $4.66 billion in the same period last year, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Sugar exports reached 757,779 tons by March, far exceeding the government’s export allowance of 150,000 tons announced in June 2024. Monthly data showed steady shipments peaking in December at 279,273 tons, with no exports reported in March. In contrast to FY25, sugar exports in FY23 had been capped at 212,896 tons over three months. Rice remained a major contributor to export earnings. While total rice exports dropped 5.91 percent in value to $2.76 billion due to a decline in non-basmati varieties, basmati rice performed strongly. Basmati shipments increased 21.78 percent in quantity to 663,980 tons and 8.78 percent in value to $676.96 million. Non-basmati rice exports decreased 9.87 percent in value to $2.08 billion. New rice markets such as Bangladesh helped sustain growth, with continued demand from the European Union and the UK. However, the surge in export demand pushed local basmati rice prices to Rs. 400 per kg, up from Rs. 150. Meat exports recorded a marginal increase of 0.99 percent in 9MFY25. Vegetable exports declined by 17.09 percent while fruit exports decreased by 5.04 percent. Fish and fish product exports showed modest growth of 8.15 percent during the same period.