Key Takeaways
- Food imports grew by 2.23% in the first two months of FY27, driven by powdered milk and tea.
- Food exports rose 7.68% in July-August FY27, mainly due to higher rice exports.
- The government has approved plans to import wheat and extend rice export subsidy schemes.
Pakistan's food imports have seen a modest increase of 2.23% in the first two months of the fiscal year 2026-27, primarily due to higher purchases of powdered milk and tea, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
In contrast, food exports have rebounded significantly, growing by 7.68% in July-August FY27, reversing the negative trend of the previous fiscal year. This growth is largely attributed to increased exports of rice, which surged by 24.68% in the same period.
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 to support exporters facing weaker international demand.
Other food products contributing to the export growth include fish products, tobacco, oilseeds, and meat products. Meat exports saw a 22.53% increase, while fish products recorded a 3.23% rise.
However, not all food products experienced growth. Vegetables and fruits recorded significant declines, with vegetable exports falling by 27.28% and fruit exports by 36.42%.
The value of palm oil imports dipped by 1.41%, while the quantity of palm oil imports also recorded a negative growth of 13.40%. Pulses and soyabean oil imports also saw declines, with pulses shrinking by 23.84% and soyabean oil arrivals in value plunging by 99%.
The government has already approved a plan to import wheat to address shortfalls in local production, reflecting the ongoing efforts to balance the country's food supply and demand.
These developments highlight the fluctuating nature of Pakistan's food trade, with both imports and exports showing mixed trends in the current fiscal year.
