Pakistan imported far more crop-protection chemicals at the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country imported 3,630 tonnes of pesticides worth $19.743m in July 2026, compared with 1,958 tonnes worth $14.001m a year earlier. Volumes rose by about 85% and the import bill by about 41%.

Fertiliser showed the opposite pattern: Pakistan imported less but paid much more. Imports fell to 67,810 tonnes from 71,096 tonnes, while their cost rose to $64.843m from $42.229m. The country therefore paid about 54% more for about 5% less fertiliser.

Imports of farm machinery also increased. Agricultural machinery worth $18.161m was imported in July, 25.87% more than the $14.429m imported in July 2025. Imports in the wider machinery group rose by 41.27% year on year, from a base of $927.956m.

The broader category of agricultural and other chemicals grew by 11.15% compared with the same month last year. Together with the rise in pesticide imports, this indicates higher spending on imported farm inputs.

Plastics followed the same pattern as fertiliser. Imports of plastic materials fell to 213,516 tonnes from 231,314 tonnes, but their value rose to $325.171m from $271.947m. Manufacturers therefore paid more for smaller quantities.

The July figures point to two developments. Farmers are buying more machinery and crop chemicals, which suggests greater investment in agriculture. At the same time, the rising cost of fertiliser and plastics is increasing pressure on the country’s import bill and could also raise costs for farmers and manufacturers.