ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s love for tea continues to come at a hefty price. According to fresh data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country imported more than 19,994 metric tons of tea in July 2025, costing $41.994 million. This reflects a marginal rise of 0.27% compared to the same month last year, underscoring the steady and unrelenting demand for the nation’s most consumed beverage.
But the figures point to a larger issue beyond tea. Overall food imports surged by a staggering 44.9% year-on-year, climbing to $743.87 million in July. Key drivers of this sharp increase included rising purchases of milk, dry fruits, spices, and pulses all showing notable growth compared to last year.
In contrast, Pakistan’s food exports slumped by 10.25%, a troubling sign that adds further strain on the already fragile trade balance. With imports climbing and exports slipping, the gap is forcing Pakistan to dig deeper into its foreign reserves to settle import bills while earning less in return.
Analysts warn that this imbalance could weigh heavily on the country’s economic stability in the coming months. While the growing demand for tea highlights its entrenched place in Pakistani culture, the broader trend paints a worrisome picture: dependence on food imports is accelerating, and without a corresponding boost in exports, the trade deficit will only worsen.
