Pakistan food exports rise 7.68% in two months of fiscal year — Dawn
In Pakistan, exports of unprocessed food products increased by 7.68% year on year in July–August 2026. The main factor was increased rice shipments, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported by Dawn.
The growth marked a reversal after the previous financial year: in fiscal year 2025–2026, Pakistan's exports of unprocessed food products fell by 29.49%, to $5.017 billion from $7.116 billion a year earlier.
Rice became the main driver
Rice exports in the first two months of fiscal year 2026–2027 increased by 24.68%. The value of basmati exports rose by 53.03%, while non-basmati exports increased by 9.99%. At the same time, physical shipment volumes of basmati rose by 42.91% and non-basmati by 14.74%.
Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce extended the rice export subsidy program until September 30 and increased the rate of reimbursement for local taxes and levies for non-basmati rice. These measures are aimed at supporting exporters amid weaker international demand.
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Exports of meat products also rose by 22.53% in July–August, fish products by 3.23%, tobacco by 121%, and spices by 8.29%. At the same time, vegetable exports declined by 27.28% and fruit exports by 36.42%. The government also allowed the export of 200,000 metric tons of sugar in the current financial year.
Imports grew more slowly
Pakistan's food imports in the first two months of the financial year increased by 2.23%, to $1.503 billion from $1.470 billion in the same period of the previous year. Among the main factors behind the increase were purchases of powdered milk and tea: dairy product imports in value terms rose by 20.41%, while tea imports increased by 28.74%.
Palm oil remained the largest food import category despite a 1.41% decline in its value and a 13.40% drop in physical volume. Pulse imports fell by 23.84%, while soybean oil shipments in value terms dropped by 99%. The Pakistani government has already approved a wheat import plan to cover a shortfall in local production.
