Food commodities worth $5.01 billion exported in FY2026

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE – Food commodities worth $5. 017 billion were exported during the financial year ended on June 30, 2026, as compared to the exports of $7. 116 billion of the corresponding period of the last year. During the period from July-June, 2025-26, the food group exports from the country decreased by 29. 49 percent as compared to the exports of the same period of the last year, according to the data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Over 4. 282 million metric tons of rice valued at $2. 291 billion, 215, 170 metric tons of fish and fish products worth $482. 017 million, 533, 382 metric tons of fruits worth $308. 130 million and 594, 104 metric tons of vegetables worth $162. 770 million were exported during the period under review. The country also earned $142. 527 million by exporting about 46, 669 metric tons of tobacco, and $260. 519 million by exporting about 243, 019 metric tons of oilseeds and nuts, respectively. During the last financial year, about 114, 046 metric tons of meat and meat preparations worth $530. 245 million were also exported, as against the exports of 114, 157 metric tons valued at $495. 109 million of the same period of the financial year 2024-25. On the other hand, the food group imports into the country during the last financial year grew by 11. 66 percent as different food commodities worth $9. 150 billion were imported as compared to the imports of $8. 195 billion of the year 2024-25. Role of National Skills University in building a prosperous future Pakistan can save billions by boosting domestic food production Convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food, Shahid Imran on Sunday said that Pakistan could save billions of dollars in foreign exchange annually by bringing more cultivable land under sugarcane, pulses and wheat cultivation, thereby reducing dependence on costly food imports. Talking to a delegation of women entrepreneurs led by Nida Tariq Ch, he stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to increase domestic production of essential food commodities, improve crop yields, and ensure the efficient utilization of agricultural land. The Internship Fallacy He said the country should focus on modern farming practices, high-yielding and climate-resilient seed varieties, efficient irrigation systems, mechanization, and the timely availability of quality agricultural inputs. He also underlined the importance of strengthening agricultural research and extension services to help farmers adopt profitable cropping patterns. Shahid Imran noted that Pakistan spends a substantial amount of foreign exchange on importing pulses, wheat, and other food items to bridge the gap between domestic production and consumption. He said coordinated efforts by the government, the private sector, and the farming community could enhance food security, conserve valuable foreign exchange, and strengthen the national economy. Character and Justice Speaking on the occasion, delegation leader Nida Tariq Ch stated that Pakistan’s food import bill rose to $9. 1 billion in FY2025-26, driven largely by higher imports of sugar and edible oil. She said palm oil accounted for the largest share of food imports, followed by pulses, tea, soybean oil, and sugar. Citing official trade data, she noted that Pakistan imported 309, 545 tonnes of sugar during FY2025-26, compared to only 3, 508 tonnes in the previous fiscal year, while the import value surged to $175. 182 million from $3. 508 million. She added that pulse imports declined by 18. 13 percent to $832. 038 million from $1. 016 billion, whereas soybean oil imports dropped by 68. 41 percent to $108. 683 million during the outgoing fiscal year. Grace Marks

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