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The Pakistani government has unveiled a strategic proposal to boost the production of its primary oilseed crops by 8.2% for the 2026/27 marketing year. The plan targets a total output of 883,700 tons, a significant increase from the 817,100 tons recorded in the preceding season. These official targets encompass sunflower, canola, and the combined category of rapeseed and mustard. To facilitate this growth, the government intends to expand the total cultivated area by 8.1%, adding 51.3 thousand hectares to reach a total of 682,100 hectares, up from 630,900 hectares in the 2025/26 cycle.
Rapeseed and mustard are projected to maintain their dominance in the national oilseed portfolio. Their combined production target for 2026/27 is set at 647,900 tons, representing a 7.4% rise over the 603,400 tons achieved last season. The cultivation area for these crops is expected to grow to 526,500 hectares. Punjab remains the primary production hub; after harvesting 460,500 tons of rapeseed and mustard last season, the province has been assigned a new target of 506,000 tons.
For canola, Pakistan aims for an approximate 10% increase in output, targeting 140,800 tons compared to 128,000 tons in 2025/26. This growth is supported by a planned 10.1% expansion in cultivated land to 93,200 hectares. Punjab continues to lead canola production, having accounted for 94.7% of the national yield last season. In the 2026/27 period, the province is expected to contribute 133,000 tons of canola from an 85,000-hectare area.
Sunflower crops show the most aggressive growth targets among the three categories. Production is slated to rise by 11% to reach 95,100 tons in 2026/27, up from 85,700 tons last year. The government anticipates an 11.6% increase in the sunflower cultivation area, bringing it to 62,400 hectares. The provinces of Punjab and Sindh remain the vital regions for sunflower, with production goals set at 43,000 tons and 39,600 tons, respectively.
This ambitious roadmap comes after mixed results in the previous season. While rapeseed and mustard production exceeded government targets by 11.4%, canola and sunflower fell short. Canola output reached only 128,000 tons against a 217,300-ton target, and sunflower totaled 85,700 tons against a planned 127,700 tons. The new targets signal a commitment to reducing import dependency through gradual domestic expansion, though final success will hinge on actual crop performance and environmental conditions during the 2026/27 season.
Source: UkrAgroConsult