ISLAMABAD: Pakistan food exports 2026, fell sharply during the first ten months of FY2025-26, declining by 32.2% to $4.19 billion mainly due to lower rice exports, according to PBS data.
According to the PBS figures, there is a fall in the total export of food groups by 32.2%. In the same ten months period of the previous fiscal year, the export of food items generated an outstanding $6.164 billion for Pakistan. This change has been attributed to variations in international commodity prices and crop output.
Rice Exports Experience a Post-Boom Correction
Rice remains the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural export engine. Nevertheless, the industry experienced volume reduction during the past ten months. The quantity of different types of rice exported from Pakistan was 3.579 million tons with a total value of $1.879 billion. On the contrary, last year had seen exports of 5.085 million tons valued at $2.963 billion.
But then Premium Basmati Rice proved its resistance to price fluctuation with just a little fall in the quantity of exports:
- Value of Basmati Exports: Achieved $668.380 million for this financial year compared to $722.709 million the previous year.
- Volume of Basmati Exports: Exporters sent out 629,638 metric tons compared to 702,626
On the other hand, export sales of non-Basmati rice reached $1.211 billion from a total of 2.949 million metric tons. In contrast, last year’s non-Basmati export sales were recorded at 4.283 million metric tons, which generated $2.241 billion.
Pakistan Food Exports Comparison (July–April)
The following data highlights the shift in Pakistan’s primary agricultural commodity trade over the 10-month review period:
| Commodity Category | Previous Year Value | Current Year Value | Percentage Change |
| Total Food Group | $6.164 Billion | $4.190 Billion | -32.20% |
| Total Rice (All Varieties) | $2.963 Billion | $1.879 Billion | -36.58% |
| Basmati Rice | $722.709 Million | $668.380 Million | -7.52% |
| Fish & Fish Preparations | $370.892 Million | $393.387 Million | +6.07% |
Seafood Sector Emerges as a Bright Spot
Whereas exports from crops have become sluggish, Pakistan’s sea and aqua business has posted good growth figures. There was an increase in both cash inflow and exports for seafood exporters.
Growth Figures: Growth was recorded at 6.07% in the Fish/Fish Preparation segment. The country exported 175,397 metric tons of seafood with a value of $393.387 million compared to last year when it exported 171,886 metric tons with a value of $370.892 million.
According to local exporters, better processing and new international markets helped the seafood segment overcome the negative trend in the agriculture segments.
Looking Ahead
Although there has been a decrease of 32% compared to the previous year’s highest base, the food sector continues to be an important contributor to Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings. The export of foods is anticipated to stabilize during the next few quarters due to the efficient supply chain adopted by local farmers, as well as the normalization of international trade routes.
