Pakistan's food export earnings have fallen sharply in the current fiscal year, while imports continue to rise, exposing a widening imbalance that threatens the country's external position.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, food exports declined by 35.21 percent to $2.988 billion during July-January FY2025-26, down from $4.613 billion in the same period last year. The steep drop highlights weakening performance in a sector traditionally relied upon for foreign exchange.

Rice, the country's primary food export, recorded a substantial contraction. Export volumes fell to 2.439 million metric tons from 3.637 million a year earlier, while earnings declined to $1.305 billion from $2.194 billion. The downturn in this key commodity has significantly weighed on overall export receipts.

In contrast, fish and fish preparations provided a rare bright spot. Exports in this category rose by 9.27 percent, reaching $253.812 million on shipments of 111,543 metric tons, compared to $232.272 million and 110,050 metric tons last year. However, this growth has not been sufficient to offset declines in other segments.

Monthly data suggests a partial recovery. Food exports increased to $624.445 million in January 2026, up from $405.983 million in December 2025, indicating some improvement in short-term performance.

At the same time, import trends point in the opposite direction. Food imports rose by 19.26 percent to $5.502 billion during the seven-month period, compared with $4.613 billion last year. On a monthly basis, imports climbed to $871.468 million in January 2026 from $783.438 million in December.

The divergence between falling export revenues and rising import costs underscores mounting pressure on the food trade balance. While selective gains in certain categories offer limited relief, the overall trajectory signals a structural weakening in export capacity alongside growing dependence on imported commodities.

Taken together, the data presents a stark picture: Pakistan's food sector is generating fewer export earnings while drawing more on external resources, deepening concerns over sustainability and trade stability.