Pakistan food exports dropped by 31.4 percent during the first quarter (July-September) of fiscal year 2025-26. The significant drop of 31% pushed the trade economy to drop down to $1.11 billion from $1.62 billion a year earlier, primarily due to a sharp drop in rice and sugar exports. The figures were released by Pakistan trade data agency Wealth Pakistan. Rice and sugar exports including other food group’s share contracted to 14.59 percent from 20.45 percent during the same period last year, reflecting a broad-based decline across multiple product categories, the provisional data showed.
Pakistan one of the leading rice producing nation has seen the steepest fall in its rice production leading to the most pronounced fall in export. Total rice exports declined 42.02 percent in value to $418.51 million, compared with $721.88 million in the corresponding quarter of last year, depicting the figures of steep fall in rice exports. Within this category, Basmati rice exports dropped 45.56 percent to $148.32 million, while exports of other rice varieties fell 41.10 percent to $270.19 million.
Pakistan Food Exports Affected by Decline in Sugar Exports
Sugar exports one of the major contributors to the food group of Pakistan, fell to zero from $80.74 million last year, as the government-maintained restrictions to protect domestic supplies and control prices. When further discussed about the Agriculture export news of Pakistan, exports of oilseeds, nuts and kernels were also down 68.14 percent to $36.56 million, while tobacco exports dropped 48.21 percent to $19.27 million.
However, a few categories posted positive growth as well. Exports of fish and fish preparations increased 27.81 percent to $89.60 million, supported by a 22.30 percent rise in export volumes. Fruit exports rose 17.04 percent to $107.91 million, and meat and meat preparations grew 5.59 percent to $122.20 million.
In contrast, vegetable exports slumped 41.14 percent to $42.25 million, affected by both reduced volumes and weaker prices, while spice exports slipped 8.70 percent to $20.01 million.
Pakistan Trade Data Depicts Decline in Exports
The total quantity of food group exports stood at 1.11 million tonnes, down from 1.62 million tonnes a year earlier. Lower unit prices for major items such as rice and vegetables further dragged down overall earnings.
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