Pakistan’s raw food exports rose by 1.62% to $5.75 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (9MFY25), up from $5.66 billion in the same period last year. The surge is largely driven by increased exports of sugar and basmati rice, even as the country grapples with record-breaking food inflation.
Despite rising domestic prices for essential items like sugar, meat, and poultry, Pakistan has now witnessed export growth for 20 straight months. This sustained momentum is fueled by both strong international demand and expanded market access.
Sugar Exports Surpass Targets
In June 2024, the government authorized the export of 150,000 tonnes of sugar—conditional on retail price stability. That target was vastly exceeded, with 757,779 tonnes exported by March 2025. Monthly data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows an upward trend through December, peaking at 279,273 tonnes, before tapering off in early 2025. Notably, there were no sugar exports recorded in March.
By comparison, only 212,896 tonnes were exported over a three-month period in FY23.
Mixed Picture for Rice Exports
Rice remains a key export commodity, although overall export value fell 5.91% to $2.76 billion during 9MFY25, down from $2.93 billion. This decline is mainly attributed to a drop in non-basmati rice export value.
However, basmati rice shipments performed strongly:
- Quantity: Up 21.78% year-on-year to 663,980 tonnes
- Value: Increased 8.78% to $676.96 million
Meanwhile, non-basmati rice shipments saw:
- Value: Down 9.87% to $2.08 billion
- Quantity: Slight increase of 0.14% to 4.02 million tonnes
New export destinations like Bangladesh have helped offset some of the decline, and markets in the EU and UK continue to show robust demand. Still, the rising average domestic price of basmati rice—soaring to Rs400 per kg from Rs150—has strained affordability for local consumers.
Meat Exports Show Modest Growth
Meat exports posted a 0.99% increase in the first nine months of FY25. This uptick is attributed to new market openings, the participation of more exporters, and new approvals for slaughterhouses, strengthening the sector’s export infrastructure.
Outlook
With strong performances in select commodities and the successful tapping of new international markets, Pakistan’s raw food export sector shows resilience despite internal economic pressures. Yet the growing disconnect between export volumes and local affordability continues to be a pressing concern for policymakers and consumers alike.
