Pakistan's Food Trade Balance Shifts Amid Global Trends

Strategic Insights -

During the last 10 months of the current financial year (July-April 2024-25), Pakistan's food group exports decreased by 1.04 per cent, while food imports grew by 0.56 per cent, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. This shift in trade balance reflects changes in global demand and supply dynamics. Notably, the country's food exports valued at $6.164 billion during the period under review were lower than the exports of $6.229 billion of the same period of the last year. Conversely, food commodities worth $6.855 billion were imported during the 10 months of the current financial year, exceeding the imports of $6.817 billion of the same period of the last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Food exports from Pakistan decreased by 1.04 per cent during the last 10 months of the current financial year, compared to the same period of the previous year.
  • The value of food exports during this period was $6.164 billion, which is $65 million less than the exports of $6.229 billion of the same period of the last year.
  • Imports of certain food commodities, including wheat un-milled, decreased by as much as 100 per cent during the last 10 months of the current financial year.
  • However, imports of milk cream and milk food for infants increased by 18.35 per cent during the period, with 28,513 metric tons valued at $103.322 million imported compared to 26,158 metric tons worth $87.302 million of the same month of the last year.
  • The imports of soyaban oil and palm oil also showed significant growth, with soyaban valued at $279.626 million and palm oil worth $2.870 billion imported as compared to $116.600 million and $2.300 billion of the last year.
  • Basmati Rice exports grew by 3.36 per cent during the period, with 702,598 metric tons valued at $722.708 million exported compared to 612,126 metric tons worth $699.208 million of the same period of the last year.
  • The country earned $370.891 million by exporting 171,886 metric tons of fish and fish products during the period under review, an increase from the exports of 166,242 metric tons valued at $342.154 million of the same period of the last year.

Statistics:

  • Value of food exports during the last 10 months of the current financial year: $6.164 billion
  • Value of food imports during the same period: $6.855 billion
  • Decrease in value of wheat un-milled imports: 100 per cent
  • Increase in value of milk cream and milk food for infants imports: 18.35 per cent
  • Value of soyaban oil imports: $279.626 million
  • Value of palm oil imports: $2.870 billion
  • Value of Basmati Rice exports: $722.708 million
  • Value of fish and fish products exports: $370.891 million

Sources:

  • Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
  • Data provided in the press release dated [No date provided]