Overview
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a turnaround outreach and review after a reported 36–38% slide in exports, the food minister told the Lahore Chamber on December 26.
- Lahore Chamber figures show food exports fell to $1.95 billion from $3.15 billion in July–November year over year, with rice down to $769 million from $1.5 billion.
- The government has formed working groups led by business representatives and directed FPCCI and sector bodies to submit recommendations for a follow-up round of decisions.
- Rana Tanveer Hussain cited buyer interest, including a planned 300,000-ton rice export to Iran and Tajikistan’s reported interest in nearly 100,000 tons of meat, with additional demand signaled by Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Gulf states.
- Exporters identified high production and energy costs, a complicated tax regime, logistics and border disruptions, conversion of farmland, and standards gaps as key constraints the revival plan aims to address.