By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s food import bill rose to Rs224.249 billion, or $805.487 million, in July 2026, with palm oil remaining the largest import item and recording a sharp increase over the previous month, according to the latest import statement available with Wealth Pakistan. Food Group imports increased 24.35% in rupee terms and 24.51% in dollar terms over June 2026, when they stood at Rs180.331 billion, or $646.926 million.

Compared with July 2025, food imports increased 5.91% in rupee terms and 8.12% in dollar terms from Rs211.731 billion, or $744.974 million. Palm oil remained the largest item in the Food Group, with imports reaching 298,172 metric tons worth Rs99.927 billion, or $358.927 million, in July 2026. It accounted for nearly 45% of the total food import bill during the month. Palm oil imports increased 46.71% in quantity, 48.80% in rupee value and 48.98% in dollar value over June 2026.

Compared with July 2025, the category rose 3.95% in quantity, 16.18% in rupee value and 18.60% in dollar value. All other food items constituted the second-largest component of the import bill at Rs72.393 billion, or $260.038 million. The category increased 11.97% in rupee terms and 12.12% in dollar terms over June 2026, while rising 3.17% and 5.32%, respectively, over July 2025. Pulses were another major import category, with imports standing at 131,291 metric tons worth Rs22.384 billion, or $80.398 million.

The category increased 7.44% in quantity, 2.99% in rupee value and 3.11% in dollar value over June 2026. On a year-on-year basis, pulses imports rose 16.18% in quantity, 6.54% in rupee value and 8.76% in dollar value. Tea imports also recorded strong growth, reaching 24,128 metric tons worth Rs16.635 billion, or $59.748 million. Compared with June 2026, tea imports increased 25.60% in quantity, 22.83% in rupee value and 22.97% in dollar value.

Against July 2025, tea imports rose 30.78% in quantity, 39.15% in rupee value and 42.04% in dollar value. Imports of milk, cream and milk food for infants stood at 6,535 metric tons worth Rs5.232 billion, or $18.795 million. The category increased 14.79% in quantity, 12.35% in rupee value and 12.49% in dollar value over June 2026. Compared with July 2025, it rose 4.80% in quantity, 22.37% in rupee value and 24.93% in dollar value. Some food categories, however, recorded declines during the month.

Imports of dry fruits and nuts stood at 6,230 metric tons worth Rs2.121 billion, or $7.618 million, declining 8.86% in quantity, 10.21% in rupee value and 10.11% in dollar value compared with June. Spices imports were recorded at 15,026 metric tons worth Rs5.523 billion, or $19.838 million. They declined 4.14% in quantity, 10.58% in rupee value and 10.47% in dollar value on a monthly basis. Compared with July 2025, dollar spending on spices was down 16.77%.

Sugar imports remained limited at 112 metric tons worth Rs34 million, or $0.121 million, while soybean oil imports were just around three metric tons worth Rs1 million, or $0.004 million. No wheat imports were recorded during July 2026. The figures show that Pakistan began FY2026-27 with a higher Food Group import bill. The month-on-month increase was primarily driven by a sharp rise in palm oil imports, alongside higher spending on tea, pulses, milk-related products, and other food items.

Credit: INP-WealthPk