Pakistan's edible oil imports are projected to soar to 3.5 million metric tonnes by 2025, according to Abdul Rasheed Jan Mohammad, CEO of the Westbury Group. This significant surge is attributed to a combination of factors: rapid population growth and economic development. The country's edible oil imports have already surpassed 3 million tonnes in 2024, with a 3.07 million tonne import figure recorded from January to October 2024. This marks a substantial increase from the 2.9 to 3 million tonne range imported annually from 2022 to 2024. Furthermore, the consumption of unbranded, loose oil, primarily found in semi-urban and rural areas, accounts for approximately 30% of Pakistan's annual edible oil consumption, exceeding 4.5 million tonnes. Experts warn that this loose oil, often sold in bulk without proper packaging or labeling, may contain harmful chemicals, impurities, and biological contaminants, posing serious health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and brain disorders.
