Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s palm oil import bill increased sharply during the first half of the ongoing fiscal year, with cumulative imports rising to $1.98 billion during July–December FY26, according to the Monthly Trade Report released by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

TDAP’s product-wise import data shows that palm oil imports grew by 29 percent during the first six months of FY26, compared with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Palm oil remained the largest edible oil import item during the period, accounting for a significant share of Pakistan’s total food-related import payments.

The report indicates that palm oil continued to dominate Pakistan’s edible oil imports, reflecting sustained import volumes throughout the July–December period. The cumulative value of $1.98 billion places palm oil among the top imported food commodities in Pakistan’s overall import basket during the first half of the fiscal year.

Monthly data in the TDAP report show that palm oil imports remained elevated throughout the reporting period, contributing consistently to Pakistan’s import bill. While the report provides detailed monthly breakdowns, the cumulative figures highlight the scale of palm oil imports over the six-month period.

The TDAP document presents palm oil imports alongside other edible oil categories in its product-wise tables, showing comparative values and growth rates. Among edible oils, palm oil recorded the highest import value, underscoring its prominence within Pakistan’s food import structure during the period under review.

Overall, Pakistan’s total imports amounted to $34.394 billion during July–December FY26, representing an 11 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year, according to TDAP statistics. Palm oil imports accounted for a notable share of this cumulative import bill, as reflected in the detailed product-wise data.

The report further shows that food-related imports, including edible oils, continued to represent a substantial portion of Pakistan’s imports during the first half of the fiscal year. Within this category, palm oil accounted for the largest share in value terms, based on official figures compiled by TDAP.

TDAP’s Monthly Trade Report provides comprehensive tables detailing import values, growth rates, and year-on-year comparisons for individual commodities. The palm oil data is presented as part of these official statistics, without interpretation, covering both monthly movements and cumulative performance.

According to the report, the increase in palm oil imports during July–December FY26 followed a pattern similar to that observed in previous reporting periods, with palm oil consistently ranking among Pakistan’s major imported food items. The document outlines the import figures strictly on the basis of recorded trade data.

The Monthly Trade Report also places palm oil imports within the broader context of Pakistan’s overall import performance, which showed higher cumulative imports in the first half of FY26 than in the same period last year. The report presents these figures through detailed product-wise and period-wise tables, providing a factual overview of Pakistan’s import composition during the period.

The TDAP data covering July–December FY26 illustrates that palm oil remained a key component of Pakistan’s import profile, with cumulative imports nearing $2 billion during the first six months of the fiscal year, as per the officially released trade statistics.

Credit: INP-WealthPk