Islamabad, Jan 22: In the first half of the fiscal year 2024-25, Pakistan experienced a notable 13.83% increase in food group exports, reaching $3.959 billion, up from $3.478 billion in the same period of the previous year. This growth underscores the robust demand for Pakistani food commodities on the global market, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Rice stands out as a significant contributor, with exports climbing by 14.50% to $1.875 billion, reflecting its enhanced global competitiveness and reputation for quality. Other key contributors to this growth include fish and fish preparations, which saw a modest rise of 1.47%, totaling $201.996 million.
Vegetable exports also increased, up by 1.71% to $130.859 million, highlighting an expanding market for Pakistan’s diverse agricultural products.
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A dramatic surge was seen in Pakistan tobacco exports, which more than doubled, growing by 103.65% to $91.478 million. This surge can be attributed to strategic market expansions and enhanced farming techniques. Moreover, the exports of sugar astonishingly increased by 1525.93%, reaching $342.571 million, due to significant improvements in production efficiency and stronger international sugar prices.
However, not all sectors saw growth. Fruit exports slightly decreased by 1.32%, settling at $169.084 million. Additionally, the exports of spices and oil seeds, nuts, and kernels also faced declines of 16.14% and 16.54% respectively, due to various market and climatic challenges.
On a monthly basis, December 2024 saw a dip in food group exports by 4.23% compared to the same month in the previous year, with total exports amounting to $804.857 million. Despite this monthly decline, December still marked an increase of 1.88% over November 2024’s exports, which totaled $790 million, indicating some recovery towards the year’s end.
This nuanced overview of Pakistan’s food export landscape not only highlights the areas of strength but also points out the sectors where there is room for improvement. The data suggests a dynamic agricultural sector that, with the right strategies and support, can continue to enhance its footprint in international markets, driving economic growth and improving livelihoods within the country.
