Pakistan's food import bill rose 11.66% to $9.150 billion in FY26, primarily due to increased sugar and edible oil purchases. Raw food exports simultaneously declined 29.49% to $5.017 billion, significantly widening the trade deficit. Sugar imports alone skyrocketed 8,716% to $175.182 million, alongside an 11.54% rise in palm oil imports to $3.785 billion. This growing trade imbalance could intensify pressure on the Pakistani Rupee against the US Dollar, potentially making imported gold more expensive for local investors.
بحوالہ / Source: www.dawn.com