By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s food import bill rose 19.90% year-on-year to Rs180.33 billion in June 2026, mainly due to higher imports of palm oil, pulses and all other food items, although the monthly bill eased from May, according to an official import statement available with Wealth Pakistan.

According to the figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the food group import bill rose to Rs180.33 billion ($646.93 million) in June 2026 from Rs150.41 billion ($531.47 million) in June 2025. In dollar terms, the food import bill increased by 21.72% year-on-year.

However, compared with May 2026, food imports declined by 1.49% in rupee terms from Rs183.06 billion. In dollar terms, the bill slipped by 1.24% from $655.05 million in May 2026 to $646.93 million in June 2026.

Palm oil remained the largest listed food import item during the month. Pakistan imported 203,243 tonnes of palm oil in June 2026, valued at Rs67.16 billion, or $240.92 million. Compared with June 2025, palm oil imports increased by 15.64% in quantity, 21.06% in rupee value, and 22.91% in dollar value.

The “all other food items” category was also a major contributor to the monthly bill, standing at Rs64.66 billion, or $231.93 million, in June 2026. This shows that the food import bill was not driven by one item alone, but by a wider food import basket.

Pulses imports remained sizeable at 122,197 tonnes, valued at Rs21.73 billion, or $77.97 million. Compared with June 2025, pulses’ imports increased by 84.36% in quantity, 65.89% in rupee value, and 68.43% in dollar value.

The sharp increase in pulses’ imports made them one of the most important year-on-year movers in the food group.

Milk, cream, and infant milk food also recorded strong growth. Imports rose 77.27% to 5,684 tonnes in June 2026 from 3,206 tonnes in June 2025. Their value increased by 30.45% in rupee terms and 32.43% in dollar terms.

Spice imports increased to 16,123 tonnes in June 2026 from 14,816 tonnes in June 2025. In value terms, spices imports rose by 31.82% in rupee terms and 33.83% in dollar terms.

Tea imports, however, declined. Pakistan imported 18,951 tonnes of tea in June 2026 compared with 19,369 tonnes in June 2025, showing a 2.16% decline in quantity. Tea import value fell by 3.99% in rupee terms and 2.53% in dollar terms.

The statement also shows no wheat imports during June 2026. Wheat unmilled imports were recorded at zero for June 2026, May 2026, and June 2025.

The data presents a mixed food import picture. The food bill remained higher than last year, mainly because of stronger imports of palm oil, all other food items, pulses, milk-related products, and spices. At the same time, the month-on-month decline from May suggests some easing in immediate import pressure.

The figures show that food imports continued to remain an important part of Pakistan’s external trade profile. While wheat imports were absent and tea imports declined, higher palm oil, pulses and milk-related imports kept the overall food group bill above last year’s level.

Credit: INP-WealthPk