Pakistan’s exports of raw food products increased by 7.68% during July and August of fiscal year 2026-27, reversing the decline recorded in the previous fiscal year. The increase was largely driven by higher rice exports.
In absolute terms, food imports reached $1.503 billion during the first two months of FY27, compared with $1.470 billion in the same period last year.
The government has approved a plan to import wheat to address shortages in domestic production. During FY26, Pakistan’s food import bill increased by 11.66% to $9.150 billion from $8.195 billion in FY25. Meanwhile, exports of raw food products fell 29.49% to $5.017 billion in FY26 from $7.116 billion a year earlier.
Other products contributing to the increase in food exports included fish products, tobacco, oilseeds and meat. The government has also permitted the export of 200,000 metric tonnes of sugar during the current fiscal year.
Rice exports increased by 24.68% year-on-year during the first two months of FY27. Basmati rice exports rose 53.03% in value, while non-basmati rice exports increased by 9.99%.
The quantity of basmati rice exports increased by 42.91%, while non-basmati rice shipments grew by 14.74% during the period.
The rice export subsidy scheme has been extended until September 30, while the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies rate for non-basmati rice has also been increased to support exporters facing weaker international demand.
Meat exports recorded a 22.53% increase during July-August, while fish product exports rose by 3.23%.
However, most other food categories posted declines. Vegetable exports fell 27.28%, while fruit exports dropped 36.42%.
Tobacco exports recorded a significant increase of 121%, while spice exports rose 8.29% during the period.
Palm oil accounted for the largest share of food imports, followed by pulses, tea and soybean oil. The value of palm oil imports declined by 1.41%, while import quantities fell 13.40% during July-August.
Pulses imports decreased by 23.84%, while soybean oil imports in value terms plunged 99% year-on-year during the first two months of FY27.
In contrast, imports of other food items increased by 19.71%, while tea imports rose 28.74% and milk product imports increased by 20.41%.
