Plan submitted to reduce Pakistan's reliance on edible oil imports

June 15, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan Oilseed Department has submitted a comprehensive plan to boost indigenous oilseed cultivation and increase local edible oil output through import substitution, aimed at reducing reliance on imports and strengthening domestic edible oil production.

The plan, prepared by the Pakistan Oilseed Department, outlines a phased roadmap to raise the country's self-sufficiency in edible oil to 27% in the short term, 40% in the medium term and 70% in the long term, APP reported.

Government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to expand oilseed cultivation, enhance productivity and gradually reduce the country's heavy dependence on imported edible oil.

During the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26, Pakistan imported 3.65 million tonnes of edible oil, including 0.67 million tonnes extracted from 2.91 million tonnes of imported oilseeds.

The import value of edible oil and oilseeds stood at $3.21 billion and $1.34 billion, respectively.

Local edible oil production during FY2025-26 is estimated at 0.55 million tonnes, while total availability from domestic production and imports during July-March stood at 4.17 million tonnes.

Based on the import trend during July-March FY2026, the edible oil import bill is projected to reach around $6 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

Total edible oil availability is estimated at 5.36 million tonnes for the full year on a pro-rata basis, reflecting a 15.5% increase over FY2025.

Domestic production is expected to meet around 10% of the country's total edible oil requirement, broadly in line with the previous year.

To support the objective of increasing local oilseed production, the government has earmarked special funds under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for FY2026-27 and is accelerating efforts to bring additional areas under oilseed cultivation.

These measures are aimed at enhancing domestic production capacity, improving self-sufficiency and reducing the burden of edible oil imports on the national economy.

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