Record Increase in Agriculture Exports Due to ISIC’s Efforts

Islamabad: Unprecedented growth has been recorded in agricultural and food exports during the fiscal year 2023-2024, owing to the efforts of the International Standards for Industrial Classification (ISIC). For the first time in the country’s history, agricultural exports have surged from $5.8 billion to an impressive $8 billion, marking a remarkable 37% increase compared to the same period in 2022-2023.
This surge underscores Pakistan’s rising significance in the global market for agricultural products and highlights the transformative initiatives by ISIC. Key contributors to export revenues include rice ($3.8 billion), sesame seeds ($410 million), maize ($421 million), meat ($507 million), and onions ($224 million). Furthermore, fruits and spices have also witnessed substantial increases, with mangoes leading at a prominent 12.74% rise in export revenue, while spices saw a 7.8% increase.
Zubair Motiwala, Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), attributed the rise in meat exports to the opening of the Chinese market for Pakistani meat products, facilitated by ISIC and the Ministry of Commerce’s ongoing efforts. Additionally, new markets in Jordan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, and Egypt have been opened for meat exports, alongside Pakistan’s first cherry export to China.
Motiwala emphasized equal attention to non-traditional exports and highlighted recent legislative approvals allowing inland aquaculture (Ecoa Culture) exports, projecting Pakistan’s agricultural sector to achieve a $10 billion target in the current fiscal year.
The substantial growth in agricultural exports not only boosts Pakistan’s economy but also solidifies its position as a leading exporter in the global market.