The Aporia · Exports rebound as imports slow

In the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27, Pakistan's food imports grew by only 2.23%, primarily due to higher purchases of powdered milk and tea. Meanwhile, exports of raw food items increased by 7.68% in July-August FY27, with rice leading the growth at 24.68%. The article highlights how the surge in rice exports is supported by government incentives such as export subsidies and tax benefits to bolster international sales despite weaker demand globally.

Written by AI on 2026-09-23, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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In July-August FY27, Pakistan's raw food item exports rebounded significantly, increasing by 7.68% compared to the previous fiscal year. This positive trend is primarily attributed to a surge in rice exports, which grew by 24.68%. The government extended the rice export subsidy scheme until September 30 and raised the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) rate for non-basmati rice to support exporters facing weaker international demand. Meanwhile, food imports rose only modestly, increasing by 2.23%, mainly due to higher purchases of powdered milk and tea. Despite this import growth, the overall value of food imports reached $1.503 billion in 2MFY27, up from $1.470 billion the previous year. This export-import dynamic highlights a positive shift for Pakistan's agricultural sector as it seeks to stabilize its trade balance and support local producers amidst challenging global market conditions.

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Food imports grew a paltry 2.23 per cent in the first two months of 2026-27, driven mainly by higher purchases of powdered milk and tea. asserted

imports → grow → milk

However, exports of raw food items rose 7.68 per cent in July-August FY27, reversing the negative trend seen in the preceding fiscal year, mainly due to higher exports of rice, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. uncertain

exports → rise → Statistics

In absolute terms, food imports reached $1.503 billion in 2MFY27, up from $1.470bn over the last year. asserted

imports → reach → year

The government has already approved a plan to import wheat to plug shortfalls in local production. asserted

government → approve → production

In FY26, Pakistan’s food import bill rose 11.66pc to $9.150bn from $8.195bn in FY25. asserted

bill → rise → FY25

In contrast, exports of raw food products plunged 29.49pc to $5.017bn in FY26 from $7.116bn in FY25. asserted

exports → plunge → FY25

Rice drives 24.68pc growth in July-August Other products contributing to the rise in exports include fish products, tobacco, oilseeds, and meat products. asserted

products → drive → products

The government has also allowed the export of 200,000 metric tonnes of sugar in the current fiscal year. asserted

government → allow → year

The product-wise data showed that rice exports surged 24.68pc in 2MFY27 from a year earlier. asserted

exports → show → 2MFY27

Exports of basmati rice, however, edged up 53.03pc and non-basmati by 9.99pc in value on a YoY basis. asserted

Exports → edge → basis

The increase was also noted in the quantity of both basmati (42.91pc) and non-basmati (14.74pc), respectively. asserted

increase → note → basmati

The Ministry of Commerce has extended the rice export subsidy scheme until Sept 30, and raised the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) rate for non-basmati rice to support exporters facing weaker international demand. asserted

Ministry → extend → demand

Similarly, meat exports surged 22.53pc in 2MFY27. asserted

exports → surge → 2MFY27

Fish products recorded a 3.23pc rise. asserted

products → record → rise

Most other food products recorded negative growth. asserted

products → record → growth

Vegetables registered a significant fall, plunging by 27.28pc and fruits by 36.42pc. asserted

Vegetables → register → 36.42pc

Tobacco exports surged 121pc, and spices by 8.29pc in 2MFY27. asserted

exports → surge → 2MFY27

Palm oil accounted for the largest share of imported food items, followed by pulses, tea, and soyabean oil. asserted

oil → account → pulses

However, the value of palm oil imports dipped 1.41pc. asserted

value → dip → imports

In terms of quantity, palm oil imports also recorded negative growth of 13.40pc during the months under review. asserted

imports → record → review

Imports of pulses shrank 23.84pc in July-August FY27. asserted

Imports → shrink → FY27

Soyabean oil arrivals in value plunged 99pc year-on-year in 2MFY27. asserted

arrivals → plunge → 2MFY27

All other food items rose 19.71pc, tea 28.74pc and milk products 20.41pc during the period under review. asserted

tea → rise → review

Exports rebound as imports slow

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