Pakistan’s raw food exports surged to $5.75 billion during the first nine months of fiscal year 2025 (FY25), up significantly from $4.66 billion in the same period last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Sugar exports stood out with shipments reaching 757,779 tons by March, far surpassing the government’s export allowance of 150,000 tons announced in June 2024. Monthly data revealed steady exports throughout the period, peaking in December at 279,273 tons, although no sugar exports were reported in March. This marks a sharp contrast to FY23, when sugar exports were capped at 212,896 tons over three months.

Rice continued to be a major contributor to export earnings, despite a 5.91 percent decline in total rice export value to $2.76 billion, mainly due to a drop in non-basmati varieties. Basmati rice exports, however, performed strongly, with shipments increasing 21.78 percent in quantity to 663,980 tons and 8.78 percent in value to $676.96 million. Non-basmati rice exports fell 9.87 percent in value to $2.08 billion.

New markets such as Bangladesh helped sustain rice export growth, alongside continued demand from the European Union and the United Kingdom. The surge in export demand also pushed local basmati rice prices to Rs. 400 per kilogram, up sharply from Rs. 150.

Meat exports recorded a marginal increase of 0.99 percent during the first nine months of FY25. Meanwhile, vegetable exports declined by 17.09 percent and fruit exports decreased by 5.04 percent. Fish and fish product exports showed modest growth of 8.15 percent over the same period.