Pakistan’s food supply falls far short of national dietary guidelines, FAO warns

A Food and Agriculture Organisation policy brief titled “Food Supply for Healthy Diets in Pakistan” reveals a stark gap between the nation’s food production and its 2018 dietary guidelines. While cereals and sugar are produced in quantities that exceed recommended levels, essential nutritious groups—including vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers and pulses—remain in persistent deficit, with gaps widening between 2010 and 2023.

More than 60 % of Pakistanis cannot afford a diet that meets the guidelines, fueling both under-nutrition and a rise in diet-related non-communicable diseases. Rapid population growth, rising from 189.3 million to 235.2 million, adds further strain, and climate challenges are expected to worsen the situation. The brief urges coordinated fiscal and regulatory actions, such as taxes on sugary and salty foods, front-of-package labeling, and greater agricultural investment in the lacking food groups, alongside nutrition education and incentives for food processors. It also recommends updating the dietary guidelines to reflect current health and environmental priorities.