Pakistan’s food group exports increased to $437.08 million in July 2026, registering a 4.28% month-on-month rise from $419.16 million recorded in June, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). On a year-on-year basis, food group exports were also 2.47% higher than the $426.56 million recorded in July 2025. In rupee terms, the value of food group exports stood at Rs121,545 million during the month, indicating a modest improvement in the country’s food export receipts at the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Rice continued to account for the largest share of Pakistan’s food exports in July, although the category recorded a decline in export value compared with the previous month. Rice exports fell 6.51% month-on-month to $55.63 million. The decline came despite an increase in the value of basmati rice exports on an annual basis. Basmati rice exports decreased 14.64% month-on-month to $21.27 million in July, but remained 37.37% higher than the amount recorded in the same month last year. Exports of other rice varieties declined marginally by 0.53% month-on-month to $34.56 million, while remaining 10.11% higher year-on-year. The figures point to a mixed performance for Pakistan’s rice trade, with annual growth remaining positive despite the monthly reduction in shipment value.
Other food export categories also posted varied results during the month. Exports of fish and fish preparations registered a significant decline of 38.69% month-on-month, falling to $6.27 million. Fruit exports increased 1.43% from June to $10.68 million, although the category remained 33.69% below its level in July 2025. Vegetable exports showed stronger monthly growth, rising 17.40% to $3.57 million, but were still 19.13% lower on a year-on-year basis. These movements indicate that while some segments recorded monthly improvements, several food categories continued to face weaker annual export performance.
Oilseeds, nuts and kernels emerged as the strongest-performing food export category in terms of growth. Exports under this category surged 69.46% month-on-month and an exceptionally high 493.70% year-on-year to $6.95 million in July. Meat and meat preparations also recorded growth, with exports increasing 15.41% from the previous month to $13.06 million. Compared with July 2025, meat exports were 16.20% higher. The increase in these categories provided additional support to overall food group exports as rice shipments declined during the month.
On the import side, Pakistan’s food group imports recorded a much sharper increase during July. Food imports reached $805.49 million, representing a 24.51% month-on-month increase from $646.93 million in June. Imports were also 8.12% higher compared with $744.97 million recorded in July 2025. In rupee terms, food group imports stood at Rs224,249 million during the month. The substantial monthly increase in food imports resulted in the import bill remaining significantly above the value of food exports during July.
Palm oil remained the largest food import item and recorded a particularly strong increase during the month. Palm oil imports rose 48.98% month-on-month to $99.93 million and were 18.60% higher compared with July 2025. Tea imports also increased, rising 22.97% month-on-month to $16.64 million and registering annual growth of 42.04%. Imports of pulses, classified as leguminous vegetables, increased 3.11% month-on-month to $22.38 million and were 8.76% higher on a year-on-year basis.
Other food import categories also showed notable movements in July. Imports of milk, cream and infant milk food increased 12.49% month-on-month to $5.23 million and were 24.93% higher than the corresponding figure a year earlier. In contrast, imports of dry fruits and nuts declined 10.11% month-on-month to $2.12 million and were 8.31% lower year-on-year.
The July figures show that Pakistan’s food trade recorded gains on both the export and import sides, but the pace of growth was considerably stronger for imports. Food exports increased by $17.92 million compared with June, while food imports rose by $158.56 million over the same period. The data also highlights divergent trends across individual commodities, with oilseeds, nuts and kernels and meat posting strong export growth, while rice, fish and fruit recorded weaker movements in one or both comparison periods. On the import side, higher purchases of palm oil, tea, pulses and dairy-related products contributed to the increase in the food import bill during July 2026.
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