FAO Highlights Gaps in Pakistan’s Food Supply

FAO says over 60% of Pakistanis cannot afford a healthy diet, highlighting gaps in the supply of vegetables, fruits, pulses, roots and tubers.

The assessment, titled “Food Supply for Healthy Diets in Pakistan,” points to a mismatch between available food quantities and those needed for a diet aligned with national food‑based dietary guidelines.

It recommends policy actions such as consumer‑focused measures, updated dietary guidelines, fiscal tools like sugar‑sweetened beverage taxes, front‑of‑pack labelling, protection for vulnerable groups, restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, expanded school meal programmes, and stronger social protection.

Reorienting the agrifood system is urged, with increased support for producing vegetables, fruits, pulses, roots, tubers and milk, and incentives for processors to meet safety and quality standards.

Investments in storage, cold chains and market infrastructure are also suggested to reduce losses and improve access to nutritious foods.