Rising reliance on imported sugar, edible oil, and other staples signals pressure on local production and economic planning
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s food import bill has surged to $3.075 billion during the first four months of the current fiscal year, reflecting a sharp 31.38 percent increase from $2.34 billion in the same period last year. Analysts say the trend underscores the country’s growing dependence on imported commodities amid domestic production and supply constraints.
Sugar, edible oils, and tea led the rise in imports, with palm oil alone accounting for the largest share at $1.325 billion, up nearly 30 percent from last year. Pakistan also imported 231,390 metric tonnes of sugar, marking an extraordinary increase from just 1,460 metric tonnes in the same period in FY25. The surge follows the government’s decision to allow sugar imports to stabilise retail prices, which have fluctuated between Rs190 and Rs230 per kg.
Soyabean oil imports also increased to $66.108 million, a 12.99 percent rise, reflecting enhanced trade agreements with the United States to meet domestic edible oil demand. Conversely, pulses imports fell by 14.22 percent to $255.461 million, while tea imports dipped slightly to $208.745 million. The growing import bill highlights Pakistan’s challenges in balancing domestic agricultural output with rising consumer demand. Economic experts caution that sustained reliance on imports could put pressure on foreign reserves and widen the trade deficit, emphasizing the need for strategies to strengthen local production, improve supply chains, and manage market prices effectively.
