Browse Data and Analysis

Following the resumption of genetically engineered soybean imports after two years, soybean imports are forecast to rebound to 2 million tons in 2025/26. With a slight increase in domestic production expected, rapeseed imports are forecast to decline.

U.S. soybean exports to Pakistan have resumed after Pakistan removed a 2-year functional ban. On February 18, 2025, Pakistan received its first U.S. soybean shipment of 65,000 tons, and U.S. exporters will soon ship approximately 200,000 more tons.

In October 2024, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) authorized imports of genetically engineered (GE) soybeans for food, feed, and processing. GE soybean imports are expected to resume in 2025, boosting prospects that the 1.5-million-ton import forecast for 2024/25 will be achieved.

While there is still considerable uncertainty regarding implementation, in January 2024 the government approved a system allowing for the resumption of genetically engineered commodity imports.

Due to the recent ban on genetically engineered (GE) commodity imports, the 2022/23 soybean import forecast is reduced from 2.5 to 1.2 million tons. With the lower expected soybean imports, 2022/23 crush and soybean meal output is reduced accordingly.

Due to uncertainty regarding policy on imported soybeans, the 2022/23 soybean import forecast is reduced from 2.5 to 2.2 million tons. Due to the lower expected soybean imports, 2022/23 crush and soybean meal output is reduced accordingly. Reflecting continued decline in consumer purchasing power due to record level inflation, the forecast for 2022/23 palm oil imports is also reduced.

Due to the poultry industry’s slow recovery and sluggish consumer demand for edible oils, no significant growth in oilseed and edible oil use is forecast for 2022/23. Likewise, soybean, canola, and palm oil imports in 2022/23 are forecast to remain similar to 2021/22 levels.

Only limited growth in soybean and vegetable oil imports is forecast for 2021/22. Rising prices and changes in taxation policies are hindering demand for meal from the poultry sector and capping growth in edible oil demand.

Pakistan’s Marketing Year (MY) (October/September) 2021/22 edible oil imports are anticipated to be a record 3.7 million metric tons (MMT), up five percent over the previous year to meet increased demand.

South Asia, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, accounts for 24 percent of the world’s population, with 1.84 billion people in 2019.

Pakistan’s Marketing Year (MY) October/September) 2019/20 soybean imports reached 1.7 million metric tons (MMT), 15 percent lower than the last year.

Edible oil and oilseeds are among the largest food and feed imports into Pakistan. Edible oil imports during 2020/21 are anticipated at a record 3.55 million metric tons (MMT), up five percent over...