Pakistan’s food group exports increased by 44.77% in the first month of the current fiscal year 2024-25, reaching $475.767 million compared to $328.632 million in the same month last year, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
This boost in food exports was largely driven by a 75.70% increase in rice exports. In July 2024, the country exported 274,004 metric tons of rice valued at $205.746 million, compared to 172,302 metric tons worth $117.102 million in July 2023.
Other sectors also saw growth, with fish and fish preparations exports rising by 0.55% and meat and meat products exports up by 5.73%.
Pakistan exported 9,713 metric tons of fish and fish preparations worth $18.928 million, alongside 8,404 metric tons of meat and meat products totaling $36.849 million.
Fruit exports increased by 13.12%, with 52,479 metric tons exported, while vegetable exports surged by 100% to 85,204 metric tons, valued at $28.884 million.
On the import side, the country’s food imports decreased by 18.30% in July 2024, amounting to $510.449 million compared to $624.804 million in the same period last year.
Notable declines were observed in the imports of milk and cream (down 27.37%), tea (down 26.68%), soyabean oil (down 93.20%), and palm oil (down 13.99%).
