Food exports hit steep decline as imports surge

ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan’s food import bill sur­ged to $5.502 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, marking a 19.27 per cent increase from $4.613bn in the corresponding period last year, largely driven by higher arrivals of sugar and edible oil.

In contrast, exports of raw food items plunged 35.21pc to $2.988bn in 7MFY26, compared with $4.613bn a year ago. Export volumes declined across nearly all major food categories, except meat. The steepest decline was recorded in rice exports, including both basmati and non-basmati varieties.

The increase in food imports underscores the country’s growing dependence on foreign supplies amid persistent domestic production and supply constraints. The surge was largely fuelled by higher purchases of sugar, edible oil and tea to meet local demand.

According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, palm oil accounted for the largest share among imported food items, followed by pulses, tea, soyabean oil, and sugar.

Pakistan imported 308,741 tonnes of sugar during the July-January period, representing an unprecedented year-on-year increase of 13,494.93pc, up from 2,271 tonnes in the same period last year.

In terms of value, sugar imports rose sharply to $174.614m, up from $2.181m in 7MFY25, a surge of 7,906.15pc, accor­ding to official trade data.

The dramatic rise comes in response to the government’s decision to allow sugar imports in a bid to address domestic shortages and stabilise market prices. Retail sugar prices have been fluctuating between Rs160 and Rs190 per kg in various cities, prompting authorities to step in and ease supply constraints through imports.

The value of palm oil imports surged 24.69pc to $2.350bn in 7MFY26, up from $1.885bn a year ago. In terms of quantity, im­port of palm oil rose 15.63pc to 2.182m tonnes from 1.887m tonnes in the corresponding period last year. This growth indicates higher consumption of edible oil and ghee in Pakistan.

However, the arrival of pulses fell 21.89pc to $492.095m from $630.019m in 7MFY25. Similarly, soyabean oil imports plunged 42.27pc to $94.991m from $164.550m.

The import bill for all other food items rose 34.37pc to $1.672bn.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026

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