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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.

On 24 November, the Federal Cabinet approved amendments to the National Biosafety Rules, which should enable genetically engineered soybean imports to resume in the first half of calendar year 2024. As a result, the 2023/24 soybean import forecast is...

As of March 2023, Pakistani authorities still ban genetically engineered (GE) oilseed imports. While they have made some progress in developing a system to allow for GE oilseed imports, uncertainty regarding when that system will be operative clouds the outlook for oilseed 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...

Although biotechnology laws (i.e., Pakistan Biosafety Rules of 2005, Seed Amendment Act 2015 and Plant Breeders Rights Act 2018, etc.) exist in Pakistan, the rules and administrative processes....