Rice-driven food exports jump 20pc

Pakistan’s raw food exports increased by 19.58 per cent to $3.15 billion during July-November FY25 from $2.64bn mainly owing to increased rice exports. Raw food exports have risen for the past 16 consecutive months despite unprecedented food inflation in the country’s history. As a result, consumers nationwide are paying higher prices for food items because of supply and demand gaps. On Thursday, representatives from the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) met with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and Minister for Food Security Tanveer Hussain to seek government help to maintain rice exports. Rice has played a significant role in boosting overall food exports. In the first five months of FY25, rice exports surged by 35.40pc year-on-year to $1.52 billion. Notably, the quantity of basmati rice shipments rose by 34.64pc and its value by 51.34pc. Exports of non-basmati rice increased 35.67pc in value and 35.92pc in quantity in 5MFY25.