Pakistan’s pulses sector emerged as the fastest-growing crop category in FY2025-26, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.
Production of pulses increased by 31.4 percent during the year, making it the strongest-performing crop group among the major agricultural categories.
The strong showing from pulses was a key contributor to growth in the “other crops” segment, which expanded by 2.43 percent after flood-related disruptions.
Increased production of vegetables and fruits, which rose 12.6 percent and 2.8 percent respectively, also supported the sector’s recovery.
Overall, the crops sub-sector recorded growth of 1.44 percent, rebounding from a contraction of 1.01 percent a year earlier.
Among individual pulse crops, gram delivered the most impressive performance. Production surged 50.4 percent to 258,600 tons from 171,900 tons a year earlier as cultivated area expanded from 707,000 hectares to 782,000 hectares. Moong production also rose 15.2 percent to 151,100 tons. However, not all pulse varieties posted gains, with masoor production falling 8 percent and mash declining 3.7 percent during the year.
The broader crop picture remained mixed. Among major crops, sugarcane recorded the strongest growth, with production increasing 6.2 percent to 89.45 million tons. Wheat production rose 4.3 percent to 29.61 million tons, while rice output increased 2.8 percent to nearly 10 million tons. These gains helped offset declines in maize and cotton, whose production fell 2.7 percent and 0.5 percent respectively.
Several other crops also registered notable gains. Potato production climbed 27.6 percent to 12.78 million tons, while chillies increased 23.5 percent and bajra rose 7.2 percent.
Meanwhile, onion production declined 2.2 percent, jowar fell 12.3 percent, and barley dropped 6.6 percent.
The survey said government support measures, improved availability of farm inputs, and better-than-expected crop outcomes following the 2025 floods helped agriculture recover during the year.
Overall, agriculture grew 2.89 percent in FY2026, compared with 1.53 percent in the previous year, with crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries all recording positive growth.