Pakistan’s food import bill rose sharply during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, increasing by 13.81% compared to the same period last year.
From July to April (FY26), the country imported food commodities worth $7.848 billion, up from $6.898 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Key Import Trends
Imports of milk, cream, and infant food rose by 6.92% to $121.625 million, compared to $113.755 million last year.
Dry fruits and nuts increased by 10.94%, reaching $145.725 million.
Tea imports climbed 5.13% to $554.889 million, reflecting continued high demand.
The biggest rise was seen in palm oil imports, which surged 15.41% to $3.313 billion, up from $2.871 billion a year earlier.
Declines in Some Commodities
On the other hand, soybean oil imports dropped sharply by 61.15% to $108.683 million, while wheat imports fell to zero during the period.
Food Exports Decline Despite Import Surge
During the same 10-month period, Pakistan’s food exports stood at $4.190 billion, marking a 32.2% decline compared to $6.164 billion last year.
The widening gap between rising imports and falling exports highlights continued pressure on the country’s food trade balance.
