Pakistan is developing a roadmap to eliminate imports of vegetable oils

Edible oils account for the largest share of Pakistan’s food imports, amounting to a staggering $3 billion a year, fueled by demand that has more than doubled over the past two decades. However, domestic production remains negligible, illustrating a systemic governance problem, Pakistan’s dependence on imported edible oil, especially palm oil, highlights the alarming neglect of local oilseed production, Business Recorder reported. The State Bank of Pakistan report highlighted the lack of a consistently implemented oilseed policy as the root cause of financial imbalance, leading to a cascade of problems. Lack of government support discourages farmers from cultivating them and inefficient oil extraction methods exacerbate the problem, the report said. Experts have compiled a list of recommendations to the government to reduce dependence on imported oilseeds. Competing demands for arable land and the dominance of staple crops leave little room for oilseeds. Even when they are ...