ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s food import bill surged to $3.075 billion in the first four months of FY26, up 31.38 percent from $2.340 billion during the same period last year, official data revealed. The rise reflects increasing reliance on imported commodities amid domestic supply constraints and efforts to stabilise prices.
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Sugar imports saw an unprecedented spike, climbing to 231,390 metric tonnes from just 1,460 tonnes a year ago — an increase of more than 15,700 percent. In value terms, sugar shipments rose to $131.311 million from $1.454 million as the government permitted imports to tackle shortages and stabilise retail prices, which have fluctuated between Rs190 and Rs230 per kilogram.
Palm oil remained the largest imported commodity, valued at $1.325 billion, up 29.37 percent from $1.024 billion a year earlier. Soyabean oil imports also increased 12.99 percent to $66.108 million from $58.509 million under a trade agreement with the United States designed to meet domestic edible oil demand.
Conversely, imports of pulses and tea declined. Pulses fell 14.22 percent to $255.461 million, while tea imports dipped 1.29 percent to $208.745 million. Other food categories collectively recorded a 53.40 percent rise, reaching $904.584 million, indicating broad-based increases across multiple commodities.
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Analysts say the figures highlight Pakistan’s growing dependence on imported food to manage domestic supply shortages and control market prices amid production challenges. Trade agreements, government policies, and global commodity trends are expected to continue shaping the import landscape in the coming months.
