Pakistan’s Pulse Imports Jump on Local Shortfalls
The imports of pulses in Pakistan have surged to a record 1.32 million tonnes ($918 million) during only 10 months of fiscal year 2025. This is higher than last year’s import of 1.315 million tonnes ($946 million). Imports reached 1.4 million tonnes ($970 million) by May 2025, and officials forecast that this can prove to be the highest import volume by FY25 end.
This increase in imports is consequently a result of a shortage between domestic output and domestic demand. Due to low yields of crops, the nation is unable to fulfill its requirement of pulses. Pakistan needs 700,000 to 900,000 tonnes of gram pulses every year, but domestic production is unable to meet that. Traders import 600,000 to 700,000 tonnes to bridge this shortage every year.
For FY25, the overall food import bill of the country is $7.6 billion, and pulses rank second only to palm oil. The land price per unit of the pulses has increased marginally from $659 to $694. Local prices of different pulses, however, indicate mixed trends. Masoor (red lentils) has decreased in cost, but moong (green gram) and mash (black gram) are more costly.
In FY25, as per the Economic Survey, local gram production fell by 16.6%, while moong and mash pulse production also fell. This shortage in production has added to the dependence on foreign pulse imports. Experts are now calling on the government to come up with a plan that is aimed at increasing production locally and not putting the burden on foreign exchange reserves.
Most critics say that the absence of a definite trade policy is perpetuating the excess importation of pulses. Rauf Ibrahim, who chairs the Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA), emphasized the necessity of greater control over import permits and policies coordinating imports to match the needs of local production. He also recommended that the food ministry review crop sizes and import demands thoroughly before issuing permits.
Neighboring countries have already effectively introduced policies to favor local production and regulate imports. Such policies help stabilize the market and defend national interests.
With import prices going up, experts are of the view that Pakistan’s yearly pulse import bill may cross the $1 billion mark in the near future. They believe that reforms must extend to examining income tax regimes of pulse traders and millers so that they can be taxed fairly.
It is made worse by exports to the neighboring nations of Afghanistan and Iran, where huge quantities of pulses are diverted, further straining the local market imbalance.
Muzamil Chappal, Cereal Association of Pakistan Chairman, referred to low domestic crop production and declining global pulse prices as reasons for the increasing imports. He also expressed apprehensions regarding the reliability of the government’s gram output data, particularly from provinces such as Sindh and Balochistan, which could be underreported.
With increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and rising import bills, experts are unanimous that Pakistan requires a long-term, sustainable solution to its pulse production woes.
