By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s import bill during July-February FY2025-26 was driven by a sharp increase in food items, vehicles and industrial inputs, with soya bean imports surging 170% and motor car imports rising 139%, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan’s (TDAP) Monthly Trade Report for February 2026.

The report shows that imports of soya beans increased significantly to $880 million during July-February FY2025-26, compared to $326 million in the same period last year, reflecting a rise of 170%. Similarly, palm oil imports, one of the largest components of the food import bill, rose by 22% to $2.74 billion from $2.25 billion in the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

Other food-related imports also showed increases. Imports of tea rose by 7% to $437 million, while rapeseeds imports increased by 30% during the eight-month period under review.

In addition to food items, imports of vehicles recorded a notable increase. Imports of motor cars rose by 139% to $1.39 billion during July-February FY2025-26, compared to $580 million in the same period last year. Imports of vehicles for the transport of goods also increased by 143% to $306 million from $126 million.

The report further indicates that imports of industrial raw materials and machinery also contributed to the overall increase in the import bill. Imports of flat-rolled iron and steel products rose by 46% to $1.008 billion, while imports of ferrous waste and scrap increased by 42% to $1.08 billion during the period.

Similarly, imports of polymers of propylene increased by 8% to $575 million, while polymers of ethylene rose by 13% to $570 million, reflecting continued demand for industrial inputs.

Imports of synthetic filament yarn also increased by 16% to $404 million, while automatic data-processing machines recorded a rise of 59% to $388 million during July-February FY2025-26.

On a monthly basis, the import of key commodities also showed mixed trends in February FY2025-26. Palm oil imports stood at $386 million, up from $366 million in the same month last year, reflecting an increase of 5%.

Motor car imports in February were recorded at $200 million, compared to $98 million in February FY2024-25, showing a rise of 104.08%. Imports of soya beans during the month reached $147 million, compared to $35 million in the same month last year, reflecting an increase of 326%.

The report also shows that imports of petroleum products recorded declines in February FY2025-26. Imports of petroleum oils (excluding crude) fell by 42% to $266 million from $462 million, while petroleum gas imports declined by 16% to $276 million from $327 million.

At the same time, imports of coal increased by 91% to $70 million during February FY2025-26, while imports of air or vacuum pumps rose by 141% to $73 million.

Sector-wise data indicates that imports of other manufacturing products increased by 13% to $32.30 billion during July-February FY2025-26, compared to $28.51 billion in the same period last year.

Imports of agro and food products rose by 18% to $6.59 billion, while imports of textile and leather products increased by 38% to $3.51 billion during the period under review.

On a monthly basis, imports of other manufacturing products stood at $5.25 billion in February FY2025-26, compared to $4.64 billion in the same month last year, reflecting an increase of 9%.

Credit: INP-WealthPk