Rice exports reach $199.95 million in July as basmati shipments post 37.37% annual growth despite a monthly decline.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s rice exports increased 19.15 percent year-on-year (YoY) in value terms in July 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The PBS statement on exports of selected commodities showed that Pakistan exported 346,024 metric tonnes of rice worth $199.95 million in July 2026.
In July 2025, rice exports stood at 293,166 tonnes, with an export value of $167.81 million.
The latest figures show that the value of rice exports increased by 19.15 percent YoY, while export volumes rose by 18.03 percent during the period under review.
Rice exports decline month-on-month
Despite the annual increase, rice exports recorded a decline on a month-on-month (MoM) basis in July 2026.
Rice exports amounted to $199.95 million in July, compared with $213.73 million in June 2026, representing a decline of 6.45 percent.
The quantity exported also fell by 4.63 percent, from 362,808 tonnes in June to 346,024 tonnes in July.
The monthly decline indicates that the strong annual performance was accompanied by some moderation in shipments at the beginning of FY2026-27.
Basmati rice exports rise 37.37% YoY
Basmati rice exports recorded particularly strong growth during July 2026.
Pakistan exported 67,857 tonnes of basmati rice worth $76.48 million in July, compared with 52,694 tonnes worth $55.68 million in July 2025.
The value of basmati rice exports therefore increased by 37.37 percent YoY, while the quantity exported rose by 28.78 percent.
However, basmati exports declined on a monthly basis, with export value falling 14.64 percent from $89.59 million in June 2026.
Other rice exports increase 10.11%
Exports of rice other than basmati also recorded annual growth.
The country exported 278,167 tonnes of other rice varieties worth $123.47 million in July 2026, compared with 240,472 tonnes worth $112.14 million in July 2025.
The value of these exports increased by 10.11 percent YoY, while the quantity rose by 15.68 percent.
On a monthly basis, however, exports of other rice declined by 0.53 percent in value and 2.55 percent in quantity.
Food exports increase in July
The PBS data showed that Pakistan’s overall food group exports increased 2.47 percent YoY in dollar terms in July 2026, reaching $437.08 million, compared with $426.56 million in July 2025.
Food exports also increased 4.28 percent MoM compared with $419.16 million in June 2026.
Among other major food commodities, tobacco exports increased 72.55 percent YoY, while oilseeds, nuts and kernels recorded a sharp 493.70 percent increase in value.
Meat and meat preparations exports rose 16.20 percent YoY, while spice exports increased 9.95 percent.
The strong annual growth in rice exports, particularly basmati rice, provides an encouraging start to Pakistan’s food export performance in fiscal year 2026-27. However, the month-on-month decline highlights the need to sustain shipment volumes in the coming months.