Indonesia, through its national palm-oil industry, has reaffirmed its role in supporting Pakistan’s food security by ensuring a steady, affordable supply of palm oil. The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA) notes that Pakistan relies on imports for over 90% of its edible-oil needs, with around 75% of that volume sourced from Indonesia—amounting to more than USD 2.5 billion annually. Since palm oil is a core ingredient for cooking oils, margarine, ghee, bakery, and confectionery products in Pakistan, the partnership helps stabilise food prices and supply for households and industry alike.
Beyond simple trade, the relationship between Indonesia and Pakistan is evolving into a more strategic collaboration. Under the existing preferential trade framework, both countries are exploring joint initiatives such as local oil-palm cultivation pilot projects in Sindh and Balochistan, research cooperation, and value-chain investment. These efforts aim to build capacity, create more resilient supply chains, and reduce Pakistan’s long-term dependence on imports of vegetable oils. Indonesia emphasises that this approach is not only about commodities but also about shared resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.
