Petroleum import bill rises to more than $1bn in February 2025

March 18, 2025 (MLN): The import bill of the petroleum group increased by 0.1% to $1.25 billion in February 2025, compared to $1.24bn recorded in February 2024, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed.

Conversely, the imports of petroleum products fell by 9.83% MoM to $466.7 million compared to $517m recorded in January 2025.

The share of petroleum products in the total import bill stood at 26% during the month.

In 8MFY25, the import bill of petroleum products was down by 3.84% to $3.9bn against $4.1bn recorded in the same period last year.

It is pertinent to mention that the overall import bill has increased by 11.72% YoY to $4.8bn in February 2025.

On a monthly basis, total imports declined by 8.51%, compared to imports worth $5.25bn in January 2025.

Cumulatively in 8MFY25, total imports increased by 7.6% to $37.8bn, compared to $35.2bn in 8MFY24.

The second and third-highest import categories were the Food and Machinery Group, worth $796.6m and $773.46m, respectively, in February 2025.

The country’s food imports were up by 7.68% YoY to $796.6m, compared to $739.8m in the same period last year.

Similarly, on a monthly basis, the food group’s imports fell by 0.94%, compared to $804.25m in January 2025.

Under the food group, palm oil emerged as the dominant food import, standing at $366.2m, up by 83.96% YoY and increased by 6.23% MoM.

Likewise, the import of pulses up by 71.29% YoY and down by 4.6% MoM, reaching $95.8m in February 2025.

The imports of the agricultural and other chemicals group dropped by 3.01% YoY and down by 16.65% MoM, reaching $629.8m.

Meanwhile, during 8MFY25, imports for the same group rose by 2.52%, totaling $5.87bn.

The import bill of the metal group stood at $433.84m, reflecting a 21.29% YoY and 2.93% MoM rise in February 2025.

Under the textile group, the country incurred an import expenditure of $376m, showing an increase of 102.75% YoY and down by 10.8% MoM.

Regarding the transport sector, the import bill rose by 50.73%, reaching $202.45m in February 2025, compared to $133.3m in February 2024.

This rise is attributed to an increase in the import of road motor vehicles, which stood at $197m, compared to $116.2mn in February 2024, reflecting a 69.46% increase.

On a monthly basis, the transport import bill fell by 4.28%, compared to $211.5m recorded in January 2024.

Cumulatively in 8MFY25, transport sector imports increased by 24.33%, reaching $1.38bn, compared to $1.11bn in 8MFY24.

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