Pakistan Among World's Largest Food Producing Countries

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan's agriculture output is the 10th largest in the world. The country produces large and growing quantities of cereals, meat, milk, fruits and vegetables. Currently, Pakistan produces about 38 million tons of cereals (mainly wheat, rice and corn), 17 million tons of fruits and vegetables, 70 million tons of sugarcane, 60 million tons of milk and 4.5 million tons of meat.  Total value of the nation's agricultural output exceeds $50 billion.  Improving agriculture inputs and modernizing value chains can help the farm sector become much more productive to serve both domestic and export markets.  

Top 10 Countries by Agriculture Output. Source: FAO

Pakistan has about 36 million hectares of land under cultivation. Wheat and rice are grown on more than half of it. Fruits and vegetables each account for only about 3% of the cultivable land.  Since year 2001, the country's cereal production, mainly wheat, corn and rice, has grown about 45% to 38 million tons. Pakistan produced 6.64 million tons of vegetables and 5.89 million tons of fruits in 2001. 

Pakistan is the world’s 4th largest exporter of rice. The country's domestic production is estimated to surge 13.6% to an all-time high of 8.4 million tons in the year end June 2021, according to Bloomberg.  

Vegetable production rose to about 10 million tons and fruit production increased to nearly 7 million tons in 2015.  A little over 60% of Pakistan's agriculture consists of livestock. Pakistan produces 60 million tons of milk and 4.5 million tons of meat.  Fish production adds up to about 575,000 tons. 

Pakistan's Rising Rice Exports. Source: Bloomberg

Share of Land For Various Crops in Pakistan

Crop yields in Pakistan are low, mainly due to poor quality inputs like seeds. In addition to fertilizer and water, seed is the basic input for agriculture sector and has a major role in enhancing agriculture productivity. This needs to be a key area of focus for Pakistani policymakers working on agriculture. 

Other critical area is post-harvest handling, particularly storage and transportation that is in desperate need of improvement. Post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables due to mishandling of the perishable product, poor transportation, and inadequate storage facilities and market infrastructure account for about 30%–40% of total production, according to experts at Asian Development Bank.  

World's 5th Largest Population of Chicken in Pakistan

Improvements in agriculture inputs and modernization of post-harvest process require significant financing and investment. Growers get only a small fraction of value of what they produce, making it difficult for them to make these investments. Middlemen finance farmers and take the lion's share of profits in the value chain.  

Source: FAO via Kleffmann Group

Most of the farmers sell their produce to wholesalers via middlemen called arthis, according to an ADB report. Farmers contract out fruit orchards during the flowering stage to the middlemen (arthis), commission agent, and/or wholesalers who provide loans to the farmers over the course of production. Vegetables and fruits are transported by the same cart or truck from farms to the main markets in the absence of specialized vehicles for specific products. The same vehicle is used for many other purposes including animal transportation. Recently however, reefer (refrigerated) trucks have been introduced on a limited scale in some parts of Pakistan. In the absence of direct access of carrier vehicles to the farms, farmers gather their products in a convenient spot along the roadside for pickup. When middlemen or contractors are involved, it is their responsibility to collect and transport the produce. The unsold produce in one market is sent to other markets in the same locality. 

Date Palms in Sindh, Pakistan. Photo: Emmanuel Guddu

Investments in modernization of the agriculture production process and farm-to-market value chain will require major reforms to ensure growers get a bigger share of the value. The extraordinary power of the middlemen (arthis) as financiers needs to be regulated. This can not happen without legislation in close consultation with the growers. Improving agriculture inputs and modernizing value chains can help raise the productivity of the farm sector for it to serve both domestic and export markets better.  

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[Riaz Haq]

Overseas Demand soars for Pakistani mangoes. 93,000 tons worth $61 million exported in 2024


https://tribune.com.pk/story/2479446/demand-soars-for-local-mangoes


KARACHI:
This year has seen a remarkable increase in mango exports from Pakistan, underscoring the growing demand and global appeal of this tropical fruit. The surge reflects both expanded production capabilities and heightened international interest in premium-quality mangoes.

According to the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), as of June 30, 2024, the country shipped over 93,000 metric tonnes of mangoes worth about $61 million since exports commenced on May 20, 2024. A total of 4,484 containers were shipped to countries such as United Arab Emirates, Iran, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

“The figures show export data till June 30. The total will be compiled after the end of the season in September,” a DPP official said. This includes all three modes of shipment: by sea, by air, and through land terminals.

Quoting the DPP’s export statement, another official of the department said Pakistan’s total mango export volume was more than 129,000 metric tonnes during the last season in 2023. During this season, 18 hot water treatment plants have been approved in Karachi, with a few qualified from other parts of Sindh and Punjab.

Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers, and Merchants Association (PFVA), said, “We still don’t have any data regarding this year’s export as we receive from the government.”

According to the DPP’s country-wise chart seen by The Express Tribune, Iran was the top export destination with 1,745 containers worth about $19.5 million. The UAE followed, importing a staggering 1,396 containers worth around $21.5 million. A notable quantity of 700 containers, valued at approximately $7 million, was shipped to Kazakhstan.

Additionally, an impressive 307 containers, or 10,074 metric tonnes worth a little above $1.5 million, were exported to Afghanistan.

Statistics from the Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) also depict that the value for last year’s export was approximately $116 million. However, the quantity mentioned in PRAL data is 154,000 metric tonnes, which includes a portion of this year’s volume (data compiled based on exports carried out from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024).

Export of mangoes commenced on May 20, 2024, and gained momentum, with shipments of the luscious fruit surging via the Torkham border.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Mubarak Ahmad, Consultant on Agro and Food at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and former Director General at DPP, said Pakistan boasts a robust mango crop this year. The quality is also favourable for export. According to DPP data compiled till June 30, 2024, the volume of export has crossed 93,000 metric tonnes. This figure will rise further considerably by the end of the season, he added.


“Exports from Punjab have just started last week. The export is likely to continue till September. So we will see more surge in terms of both volume and value,” he said.

Regarding TDAP’s activities in promoting the fruit, he said TDAP has undertaken a good number of activities to promote the valuable fruit and is organising events to attract foreign buyers. “We support exporters for participation in international fairs, arrange B2B meetings, facilitate exporters in removing trade barriers, and contribute to opening new markets.”

Ahmad also highlighted that the TDAP recently organised a trade exhibition attended by about 600 foreign buyers from across the globe. Additionally, the TDAP sends mangoes to 35 countries for their top officials, arranges mango tasting events, and holds seminars/meetings for consultative sessions with stakeholders.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan is the world’s 9th largest and Asia’s 4th largest potato producing country

https://www.statista.com/statistics/382192/global-potato-production...

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Nuts - Pakistan | Statista Market Forecast

https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/food/fruits-nuts/nuts/pakistan

Revenue in the Nuts market amounts to US$0.59bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 3.18% (CAGR 2024-2029).
In global comparison, most revenue is generated in the United States (US$10,540m in 2024).
In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$2.40 are generated in 2024.
In the Nuts market, volume is expected to amount to 243.10m kg by 2029. The Nuts market is expected to show a volume growth of 2.2% in 2025.
The average volume per person in the Nuts market is expected to amount to 0.9kg in 2024.

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FY24 exports soar 10.54pc to $30.645bn YoY - Business & Finance - Business Recorder

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40310979

ISLAMABAD: The country’s exports increased by 10.54 percent ($2.921 billion) to $30.645 billion during the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to $27.724 billion in the corresponding period of 2022-23, says the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The monthly trade data released by the Bureau noted that Pakistan’s trade deficit narrowed down by 12.32 per cent in the fiscal year 2023-24 as it stood at $24.089 billion compared to $27.474 billion during the fiscal year 2022-23.

Imports declined by 0.84 per cent to $54.734 billion during the fiscal year 2023-24 as compared with $55.198 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23.

The data further noted that the trade deficit widened by 30.39 per cent on a year-on-year basis and stood at $2.390 billion in June 2024 compared to $1.833 billion during the same month of 2023.

The imports increased by 17.43 per cent on a YoY basis and remained $4.919 billion in June 2024 compared to $4.189 billion in June 2023. The exports increased by 7.34 per cent on a YoY basis and remained $2.529 billion in June 2024 compared to $2.356 billion in June 2023.

On a MoM basis, the trade deficit widened by 15.13 per cent to $2.390 billion in June 2024, as compared to $2.076 billion in May 2024. Exports recorded a 10.92 per cent negative growth to $2.529 billion in June 2024 when compared with $2.839 billion in May 2024.

Import increased by 0.08 per cent to $4.919 billion in June 2024 when compared with $4.915 billion in May 2024.

The country’ exports was $4.434 billion during the first two months (July-August) of fiscal year 2023-24 and registered -6.32 per cent growth when compared to $4.733 billion in 2022-23. However, exports turned into a positive trajectory after that from September 2023.

Former caretaker minister for Commerce and Industries Gohar Ejaz in a post on X said that the trade deficit decreased proportionately to increased exports. Export-led growth is the only way forward for the country to get out of economic challenges and jobs creation. He said that trade deficit decreased by $3.5 billion which is directly proportional to increased exports.

President FPCCI Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Chairman Rice Exporters Association, Chairman Seed Association, Chairman Fruit and Vegetable Association gave credit to hard work in marketing Pakistani products and creating increased access in China and GCC by Gohar Ejaz and his team which helped in turning around exports from negative to 10 per cent growth in his seven months tenure as caretaker federal commerce minister.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan has increased its aquaculture manifold from 12,000 tons in the year 2000 to 159,000 tons in 2018. Aquaculture is slowly gaining momentum in Pakistan with hatcheries of different species of crustaceans (mostly shrimps) opening up in Karachi.

https://tdap.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Fisheries-Potential-...

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https://www.reportlinker.com/clp/country/10970/726402


Key Market Indicators
Fish production in Pakistan is expected to reach 178,000 metric tons by 2026, up 1.4 percent from 162,000 metric tons in 2021. Since 1965, the country's production has grown 0.7 percent annually. In 2021, Pakistan ranked 28th in fish production, after France which produced 162,000 metric tons. Indonesia, India and Vietnam ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively.

Fish consumption in Pakistan is projected to reach 53,000 metric tons by 2026, down 1.9 percent from 58,000 metric tons in 2021. Since 2017, the country's demand for fish has decreased 3 percent annually.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan’s rice exports surged to $4 billion in FY24 compared to $2.15 billion last year


https://www.arabnews.com/node/2575218/pakistan


State media says favorable weather, “abundant” resources helped Pakistan export six million tons of rice

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan generated $4 billion in revenue during financial year 2024 by exporting six million tons of different types of rice, state media reported on Monday, citing favorable weather conditions and “abundant” agricultural resources as the main reasons for the surge in exports.

Pakistan exported rice worth $4 billion this year compared to $2.15 billion last year, benefiting largely from India’s more-than-a-year-long ban on rice exports to fulfill its domestic needs. India announced in September it was lifting the ban, prompting Pakistan to lift the minimum export price for all rice varieties in the country.

India and Pakistan are the only two countries that produce basmati rice which is famous for its unique flavor and aroma. India has been the largest exporter of rice worldwide, followed by Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“With the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Pakistan has earned revenue of four billion dollars from rice exports,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, referring to Pakistan’s top hybrid civil-military body formed last year to attract foreign investment in the country’s vital economic sectors.

“During the fiscal year 2024, Pakistan exported more than 6 million tons of different varieties of rice due to favorable weather conditions and abundant availability of agricultural resources.”

Shahjahan Malik, former chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, said exporters have set a fresh target of $5 billion for rice exports for the next financial year. He added that a comprehensive strategy based on “modern seed research and quality agricultural practices” would be developed to enhance exports further.

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal had said the country aimed to boost its rice exports to as much as $7 billion to support its dwindling economy.
Pakistan’s commerce minister said country aims to increase revenue from rice exports to $7 billion this year

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan becomes 5th largest country in sesame production

https://radio.gov.pk/23-01-2024/pakistan-becomes-5th-largest-countr...'s%20agricultural%20portfolio.

Pakistan has become the fifth largest country worldwide in the sesame production with its over four hundred million dollars exports in current year. According to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, sesame has emerged as a pivotal cash crop within Pakistan's agricultural portfolio.

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Pakistan loses its edge in supplying China with sesame seeds

https://www.ft.com/content/db8a22b4-a3f9-425c-be74-6ba87023823a


Pakistan’s agricultural industry is struggling to adjust to the end of a shortlived boom in supplying a staple for China’s kitchens, as demand and prices for sesame seeds collapse amid increasing competition from other countries. China, the world’s largest sesame seed buyer, imported just $19mn worth of seeds from Pakistan in the harvesting months of August and September this year, a 53 per cent fall compared with the same period in 2023 when demand was at its peak, according to data from Beijing’s General Administration for Customs. Pakistan had been benefiting from conflict in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar disrupting supplies from producers there, and Beijing’s decision to abolish a 9 per cent duty on seeds from its neighbour.





Alan Xi, general manager for agriculture at China Machinery Engineering Corporation in Pakistan, said waning demand from China was driving prices down to Rs12,000 a maund (40kg) — about a dollar a kilo — for the farmers he contracts to grow sesame, well below the Rs20,000 they fetched last year.



“Very, very high demand from China drove farmers to want to switch to sowing sesame seeds,” said Xi. Now “some farmers are telling me, they will never grow sesame again because of the low price”. “Since the season started [in August], prices [of sesame] have been coming down every week,” said Fahad Shoukat, chief executive of Armcom, a Karachi-based sesame exporter. Although his business specialises in selling premium-grade sesame to the US and Europe instead of China, the price slump has still hit his company’s bottom line. “Nobody [importers] is taking long-term positions, while last year people in Europe and the US would keep bigger stocks in their warehouses.”



Pakistan exported $403mn worth of sesame last year, making it the world’s fifth-largest exporter, up from just $40mn in 2019, according to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights, as China scrambled to replace lost volumes from conflict zones and attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.




Pakistan’s tariff exemption has given its exporters an edge over fellow autumn and winter suppliers in India, while the port of Karachi is relatively closer to Chinese ports than those of competitors in west and east Africa, according to analysts and exporters. Pakistan was responsible for about a fifth of the $1.53bn in sesame imports by China in 2023, which were turned into cooking oil, sauces and dessert garnishes. Farmers sow sesame on more than 1.8mn acres of Pakistani farmland, four times the area under cultivation for the seed in 2020, according to data from the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, a Faisalabad-based research centre.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan is a major producer and supplier of food and crops, ranking among the world's top producers for many items: 

• Wheat: Pakistan is the world's 7th largest producer of wheat. 
• Rice: Pakistan is the world's 10th largest producer of rice. 
• Sugarcane: Pakistan is the world's 5th largest producer of sugarcane. 
• Cotton: Pakistan is the world's 5th largest producer of cotton. 
• Chickpea: Pakistan is the world's 3rd largest producer of chickpeas. 
• Apricot: Pakistan is the world's 6th largest producer of apricots. 
• Milk: Pakistan is the world's 5th largest producer of milk. 
• Date Palm: Pakistan is the world's 5th largest producer of date palms. 
• Mango: Pakistan is among the world's top producers of mangoes. 
• Kinnow oranges: Pakistan is among the world's top producers of kinnow oranges. 

Other crops that Pakistan produces include:

Maize, Barley, Millet, Peanut, Rapeseed, Soybean, Sunflowerseed, and Sorghum. 

Pakistan's agriculture is supported by: 

• About 25% of the country's land being under cultivation 
• The government's mission to make agriculture cost effective and knowledge based 
• The government's "One Health" approach to human, animal, and plant health 
• The government's efforts to encourage greater use of digital technologies 

[Riaz Haq]

Hazara’s Olive Oil Boom Lays Roadmap for Pakistani Sector - Olive Oil Times

https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/production/hazaras-olive-oil-boom-lay...

The northwestern Pakistani region of Hazara has become a proving ground for the national olive oil sector.

Officials and producers are encouraged by early results, believing the region has provided a roadmap for the rest of Pakistan and opened the door to large-scale exports.

Olive oil production in Hazara has risen from 90 kilograms in 2019 to over two tons in 2022 and 2023, providing substantial financial benefits to farmers.
- Saeed Ur Rahman, olive specialist, PARC
“Hundreds of farmers are attracted to grafting olives on a local breed named Kaho,” said Basharat Hussain Shah, the National Tea and High-Value Crops Research Institute (NTHRI) senior director.

“Within two to three years of planting, the trees have started yielding, with the yield increasing each year,” he added. “Over 1,000 hectares of land in Hazara are dedicated to olive trees, and this area is growing annually.”

See Also:Festivals, Conferences Build Momentum for Pakistani Olive Oil Sector
Sabir Sultan is one of the pioneers of olive growing in Hazara, planting the first olive trees of the Zaitoon Family Foundation in 2010.

Over the past 14 years, Sultan has cultivated about 5,000 olive trees via graft, half of which have started producing fruit.

“The climate of Hazara is very suitable for olive cultivation,” he said. “The land space is vast, making cultivating large quantities of olive plants easier.”

The combination of land availability and appropriate olive growing conditions have made Hazara a candidate for larger-scale olive farms, which help to lower agronomic and harvesting costs.

Basharat Hussain Shah (left) sees the potential of grafting local olive tree varieties in Hazara and across Pakistan.
Additionally, Sultan insisted that the region is already leading the way regarding quality.

“An official analysis took place in Pakistan to assess the quality of oil from different regions, and it was found that Hazara produces the highest quality of olive oil in all of Pakistan,” he said.

Along with Arbequina and Leccino, Sultan grows two varieties bred specifically for Hazara’s climate and soil conditions: BARI Zaitoon‑1 and BARI Zaitoon‑2.

“Given the fertility and suitability of the land, if olive cultivation is done efficiently, we will not only be able to stop the import of olive goods but also become capable of exporting it globally,” Sultan said.

Sabir Sultan is a pioneer of olive farming in the Hazara region, where olive oil produciton is growing. (Photo: Sabir Sultan)
“The increase in olive cultivation can be extremely beneficial for Pakistan,” he added. “It can give an immense boost to the economy by reducing olive oil imports, which, along with tea, is one of Pakistan’s biggest imports.”

While Hussain said government support would be necessary for olive cultivation to spread and ultimately succeed in the South Asian country, he added that “the opportunities are limitless.”

The Hazara region, located in the wider Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, serves as a microcosm for the wider Pakistani industry. Hussain believes many of Hazara’s opportunities and challenges are mirrored nationwide.

“Pakistan’s climate and soil conditions are suitable for olive cultivation, particularly in the northwest regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab,” he said. “The country has made significant progress in olive farming, with many farmers adopting modern cultivation practices and irrigation systems.”




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Agronomists are helping farmers graft endemic wild olive trees across

According to Saeed, Pakistan produced 86 tons of olive oil in the 2022/23 crop year, most of which was virgin and extra virgin.

“The country has around seven million olive trees planted on 25,000 hectares, with the potential production of these already-planted groves expected to reach 1,400 tons annually,” he said. “By 2027, production is projected to exceed 10,000 tons annually.”

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan’s expert discovers seed tech in China during an event held in China under the Asian Seed Association.

https://thedailycpec.com/pakistans-expert-discovers-seed-tech-in-ch...

The Asian Seed Congress (ASC), the premier annual event of the Asian Seed Association (APSA), took place in Sanya, Hainan, China, from December 2 to December 5, with the theme “Riding the Wave of Growth in Asia Pacific.” Since its establishment in 1994, ASC has rotated its location yearly across different countries or regions within the Asia-Pacific. This year marked its 29th edition, setting a record with over 1,500 participants from 52 nations, making it the largest gathering in APSA’s history.

Dr. Rasheed, a seasoned agribusiness expert with more than 15 years of experience, represented Pakistan at the congress. Eager to stay abreast of emerging trends and establish partnerships, he expressed particular interest in vegetable seeds, including chili, tomato, melon, and watermelon. “This is my seventh Asian Seed Congress,” shared Dr. Rasheed, currently serving as the research advisor for Pakistan’s Patron Group. He was particularly intrigued by the trade exhibition, where global seed companies showcased their best varieties, while Chinese exhibitors highlighted cutting-edge biotechnologies.

Dr. Rasheed observed an impressive range of biotechnologically engineered seeds resistant to various environmental and biological challenges. These advancements, he noted, have the potential to significantly enhance agricultural yields in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s seed industry holds immense promise within the Asia-Pacific seed market, valued at $29.7 billion, contributing 32% of the global seed market. The region’s seed use is equally significant, with 26.9 billion tonnes, representing nearly 40% of the global total. Such collaborations, Dr. Rasheed remarked, could drive growth and innovation within Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

Highlighting the strong collaboration between Pakistan and China in the seed industry, Dr. Rasheed pointed out China’s extensive seed trade network spanning 116 countries. Hybrid rice, a notable achievement, has been successfully introduced and scaled in regions such as Asia and Latin America. As China’s strategic partner and close neighbor, Pakistan is well-positioned to benefit from and expand such cooperative efforts.

Hybrid rice has proven transformative for Pakistan. Following years of trials, the country has reached a milestone by exporting hybrid rice to third-party markets, symbolizing a significant achievement in agricultural collaboration between China and Pakistan.