ISLAMABAD: With a substantial growth of 25% during the first half (July-December) of the fiscal year (2021-22), Pakistan’s exports of the agriculture sector were recorded $2.818 billion, WealthPK reported on Tuesday.
Exports of the agro sector were recorded $2.246 billion during July-December last fiscal year (2020-21), the Ministry of Commerce data showed. Pakistan is currently negotiating with China on mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) for exports of meat, potatoes, melons, banana, strawberries and cherries.
Once these MRAs are concluded, Pakistan is expecting market access of hundreds of million dollars within a few years.
Cereals remained top exported commodity during the first six months of the current fiscal year. Exports of cereals rose to $1.1704 billion during the first six months of the current fiscal year from $976.18 million during the same period of last fiscal year, showing a growth of 20%.
Exports of seeds, oleaginous fruits and miscellaneous grains grew by 203% as the exports’ volume was recorded $197.83 million during the said period against $65.28 in corresponding months of last fiscal year, the Ministry of Commerce data seen by WealthPK showed.
With an addition of 3%, exports of meat and edible meat offal rose to $168.62 million in July-December 2021-22 from $164.31 million during the same months of 2020-21.
Exports of edible fruits and nuts, including peel of citrus fruit and melons, were recorded $235.67 million during the period under review against $214.54 million in the corresponding period of last fiscal year, registering an increase of 10%.
A significant growth of 20% was registered in exports of vegetables, roots and tubers, and the export volume rose to $125 million in the first six months of the current fiscal year from $104 million during the corresponding period of last fiscal year.
Among vegetables, exports of potatoes and onions grew significantly by 61% and 33%, respectively. Exports of onions rose to $74.45 million from $55.98 million, while exports of potatoes were recorded $32.89 million against $20.44 million.
Exports of animal fats and vegetable oil were recorded $53.48 million during the period under review against $29.51 million in the same months of last year with an increase of 81%.
Among the processed and prepared food items, exports of beverages, spirits and vinegar grew by 56% and the export volume was recorded $219.5 million in July-December 2021-22 against $140.9 million during the same months of last fiscal year.
Export of sugar and confectionery rose to $84.89 million during the said period from $55.04 million in the corresponding period of last year, registering a growth of 54%.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia have recently allowed import of meat from Pakistan. These countries possess over $3 billion meat market and Pakistan exporters can enhance meat exports by increasing production.
Pakistan rice exporters will get more market access as Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be signed with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in March this year, the ministry said.
Export of rice to Russia and Indonesia will start soon, while arrangements for export to Iran on barter system are being finalised. All these measures are expected to enhance rice export by $1 billion, the ministry said.
-INP
