ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s fruit export earnings nearly doubled over the past decade, rising from Rs44.6 billion in fiscal year 2015-16 to Rs86.0 billion in 2024-25, according to official trade data from the Ministry of Finance.

The figures show that while export volumes fluctuated significantly during the 10-year period, overall export value followed a sustained upward trend, reflecting stronger pricing and improved export returns over time.

In 2015-16, Pakistan exported 677,000 tonnes of fruit, generating Rs44.6 billion. In 2016-17, volumes declined to 646,000 tonnes and earnings fell to Rs39.9 billion, amid above-average rainfall and flash floods that damaged orchards and rural infrastructure in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

Exports recovered in 2017-18, with volumes rising to 697,000 tonnes and earnings improving to Rs43.8 billion. Growth accelerated in 2018-19, when shipments reached 756,000 tonnes and export receipts increased to Rs56.3 billion, marking nearly 28% year-on-year growth in value.

The upward trend continued in 2019-20, with volumes climbing to 798,000 tonnes and earnings to Rs67.8 billion. A significant surge followed in 2020-21, when exports peaked at 975,000 tonnes — the highest level of the decade — pushing export value to Rs76.8 billion. Compared to 2015-16, volumes during that year were nearly 44% higher.

However, 2021-22 saw a sharp decline in shipments to 622,000 tonnes, down more than 36% from the previous year. Despite the drop in quantity, export earnings rose to Rs84.4 billion, indicating higher average export prices.

In 2022-23, volumes remained relatively low at 629,000 tonnes, while export value declined to Rs68.8 billion. That year followed widespread floods across the country in 2022, which inundated farmland and affected agricultural output.

Exports rebounded strongly in 2023-24, with volumes increasing to 928,000 tonnes and earnings reaching a record Rs97.1 billion — the highest export value recorded during the period under review. Compared to 2015-16, export earnings in 2023-24 more than doubled.

In 2024-25, shipment volumes declined again to 579,000 tonnes — the lowest level in the decade. Despite a 37% drop in quantity from the previous year, export receipts remained relatively strong at Rs86.0 billion.

Over the 10-year period, fruit export volumes ranged between 579,000 and 975,000 tonnes. In contrast, export value increased by nearly 93%, highlighting a long-term strengthening in earnings despite fluctuations in shipment quantities.