Food exports surge 25pc in July-Sept

Raw food exports from Pakistan climbed 25.31 per cent in July-September, Dawn reported, citing Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data. Shipments reached $1.388 billion, up from $1.108bn a year earlier, with rice accounting for most of the gain.

Raw food imports rose only 3.44pc to $2.330bn from $2.252bn, a pace the data show as a slowdown. Rice exports jumped 55.89pc, with basmati up 86.28pc and non-basmati up 39.20pc in value. Meat, fish and tobacco shipments also grew, whereas vegetables and fruits posted steep declines.

To support exporters, the commerce ministry extended the rice export subsidy scheme by three months to Sept 30 and increased the DLTL rate for non-basmati rice. Sugar exports of 200,000 tonnes were also permitted this fiscal year. Over FY26, raw food exports fell 29.49pc to $5.017bn, while the food import bill rose 11.66pc to $9.150bn.