Food import bill rises to $7.09bn in 9MFY26

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s food import bill climbed 15.22pc to $7.09 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, up from $6.15bn in the same period a year earlier. The increase was driven mainly by higher imports of sugar and edible oil.

At the same time, exports of raw food items fell sharply to $3.80bn in 9MFY26 from $5.75bn in the corresponding period last year, marking a contraction of 33.90pc. The decline was spread across most major food export categories, although meat showed some resilience during the period.

Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that rice exports recorded the steepest drop, with both basmati and non-basmati shipments declining significantly in March as well as over the nine-month period.

Analysts said the widening gap between food imports and exports reflected a growing dependence on imported food supplies amid weaker domestic output and supply constraints, particularly in pulses.

Sugar and edible oil lead import growth

The rise in imports was largely linked to increased purchases of sugar, edible oil and tea as authorities sought to stabilise local markets and cover shortages through international buying.

Palm oil made up the largest share of imported food items, followed by pulses, tea, soya bean oil and sugar.

Pakistan imported 308,937 tonnes of sugar in 9MFY26, compared with only 2,673 tonnes in the same period last year, an increase of 11,457.69pc. In value terms, sugar imports jumped 6,554.38pc to $174.744 million from $2.626m a year earlier after the government allowed large-scale imports to address domestic shortages and curb rising prices.

Retail sugar prices remained volatile at between Rs160 and Rs180 per kg in different cities, prompting the authorities to intervene by improving supplies through imports. Officials said the move was intended to stabilise the market amid tight domestic availability as the country relied more heavily on external supplies to meet demand.

The value of palm oil imports rose 17.49pc to $3.023bn during July-March FY26 from $2.573bn a year earlier. In quantity terms, palm oil imports increased 12.81pc to 2.809 million tonnes from 2.490m tonnes. This reflected higher consumption of edible oil and ghee in Pakistan.

The import bill for tea rose 1.95pc to $485.93m from $476.64m, while imports of milk, cream and milk food for infants increased 5.11pc to $105.38m from $100.26m.

The import bill for all other food items went up 37.77pc to $2.244bn in 9MFY26 from $1.629bn a year earlier.

Imports of pulses increased 24.19pc to $624.38m in 9MFY26 compared with $823.63m a year ago, while imports of soyabean oil fell 56.75pc to $108.68m from $251.28m.

Exports post broad-based decline

In contrast to imports, exports of major food commodities during July-March FY26 posted a broad-based decline from the same period last year. Basmati rice exports fell 11.82pc, while other rice varieties dropped 47.2pc.

Among the few categories to register growth, fish and fish preparations rose 5.99pc, fruit exports increased 3.16pc, and meat exports were up 3.80pc in 9MFY26.

Vegetable exports recorded a steep fall of 52.71pc, while tobacco exports declined 21.07pc. Exports of spices also decreased by 7.91pc during the period.