Rice exports rebound as Pakistan’s food imports rise in July
Pakistan’s food exports returned to growth in July 2026, driven mainly by a 19.15% rise in rice export value. However, food imports increased 8.12%, led by higher palm oil purchases, while exports of vegetables and fruits continued to decline.
Pakistan’s food exports returned to growth at the start of FY2026-27, led by a sharp increase in rice shipments, even as the country’s food import bill rose 8.12% year-on-year in July 2026, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data.
Food imports amounted to $805.48 million during the month, compared with $744.97m in July 2025. The increase was largely driven by higher purchases of edible oil, with palm oil accounting for the biggest share of the food import bill.
Palm oil imports increased 18.60% in value during July, while volumes rose 3.95%. The rise was attributed to stronger domestic consumption of edible oil and ghee.
Pulses imports also increased 8.76%, while tea imports climbed 42.04%. Soybean oil imports moved sharply in the opposite direction, with their value plunging 99% from a year earlier. The import bill for other food products increased 5.32%.
The latest monthly figures come after a difficult FY2025-26 for Pakistan’s food trade. The food import bill increased 11.66% during the year to $9.150 billion from $8.195bn, while exports of raw food products declined 29.49% to $5.017bn from $7.116bn.
Food exports, however, showed a modest recovery in July, rising by just over 2% year-on-year. The improvement was primarily driven by rice, with fish products, tobacco, oilseeds and meat also contributing.
Rice exports increased 19.15% in value during the first month of FY27. Basmati rice shipments rose 37.37%, while non-basmati rice exports increased 10.11%.
Export quantities also expanded, with basmati rice volumes rising 28.78% and non-basmati shipments increasing 15.68%.
To support rice exporters facing weak international demand, the Ministry of Commerce has extended the rice export subsidy scheme until September 30 and increased the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) rate for non-basmati rice.
Meat exports grew 16.20% year-on-year in July, while fish product exports edged up 0.43%. Tobacco shipments recorded a 77.55% increase and spices rose 9.95%.
The recovery remained uneven across food categories. Vegetable exports fell 19.13%, while fruit exports declined 33.69% during the month.
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Source : Profit Pakistan Today
