ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s raw food exports rose 4.17 per cent to $5.17 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year compared to $4.96bn in the corresponding period last year, mainly driven by a significant rise in sugar and rice shipments.

The exports have risen for 19 consecutive months despite unprecedented food inflation in the country’s history. Consumers nationwide are paying higher prices for food items, especially sugar, because of supply and demand gaps.

In June 2024, the government announced a policy allowing the export of 150,000 tonnes of sugar, conditional upon maintaining stable retail prices. However, this target was significantly surpassed, with sugar exports reaching 757,779 tonnes by February.

According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the monthly export figures were as follows: 39,158 tonnes in July, 46,990 tonnes in August, 51,452 tonnes in September, 49,643........

© Dawn Business