Pakistan’s food exports have recorded a slight decline of 1.04% in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, totaling $6.164 billion compared to $6.229 billion during the same period last year.
Meanwhile, food imports increased by 0.56%, rising to $6.855 billion from $6.817 billion in the previous year, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The figures for imports and exports highlight some notable shifts in the food trade. While imports of certain commodities, such as un-milled wheat, have dropped to zero, tea imports decreased by 5.13%, from $547.43 million to $519.37 million.
However, several food items saw an uptick in imports. Milk cream and milk food for infants increased by 18.35%, reaching 28,513 metric tons valued at $103.32 million. Similarly, imports of soybean oil surged by 139.82%, and palm oil imports rose by 24.78%, amounting to $279.63 million and $2.87 billion, respectively.
On the export side, Basmati rice saw a 3.36% increase, with 702,598 metric tons valued at $722.71 million exported, compared to 612,126 metric tons worth $699.21 million in the previous year.
Fish and fish products also showed positive growth, with 171,886 metric tons exported, earning $370.89 million, compared to $342.15 million from 166,242 metric tons last year.
