Pakistan Sees Sharp Rise in Edible Oil Imports Amid Economic Strain

23-Apr-2025 07:39 PM

Karachi. Pakistan recorded a significant surge in the import of edible oils during the first three quarters of the current financial year (July 2024–June 2025), highlighting rising domestic demand despite mounting economic pressures.

According to official data, the country saw a 116.37% increase in soybean oil imports and a 27.42% rise in palm oil imports compared to the same period last year.

Between July 2024 and March 2025, Pakistan imported 237,655 tonnes of soybean oil valued at $2.31 billion, a sharp jump from 107,705 tonnes worth $1.16 billion in the previous year. The surge in soybean oil imports reflects its growing consumption in the domestic market.

Meanwhile, palm oil imports also saw a notable rise, with expenditure increasing from $2.084 billion to $2.572 billion.

The volume of imports grew from 2.263 million tonnes to 2.489 million tonnes between July 2024 and February 2025. Most of Pakistan’s palm oil is sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia.

Interestingly, despite the rise in edible oil imports, the overall food import bill dropped by 2.74%, falling from $6.29 billion to $6.118 billion over the nine-month period, suggesting reductions in other categories like pulses and spices.

With limited domestic production of both palm and soybean oil, and a growing population, Pakistan's dependence on imports continues to rise.

Experts warn that the increasing cost of edible oil imports could exert further pressure on the already fragile economy, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.