Pakistan Allows Import of GMO Canola from Australia: New Export Opportunities
Pakistan has officially permitted the import of genetically modified canola, marking a significant achievement for Australian producers and exporters of oilseeds. This decision has been positively received by leading industry organizations — Grain Trade Australia (GTA) and the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF).
This is reported by AgroReview
Impact on Australian Export and Production
The approval for the import of GMO canola is the result of years of collaboration and consultations between the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Government of Pakistan. The Australian department prepared comprehensive scientific and technical materials and actively participated in negotiations, playing a key role in achieving a positive outcome.
Grain Trade Australia CEO Pat O’Shanassy emphasized that the opening of the Pakistani market creates additional export opportunities for Australian farmers and traders.
“The Pakistani market has consistently maintained a level of over 500,000 tons of canola per year for the past five years. This opens valuable prospects both in volume and value. Furthermore, with the increasing share of GMO canola in Australia, Pakistan now has access to a larger volume of Australian supplies,” he stated.
Long-Term Prospects and Next Steps
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), canola production in Australia is expected to grow by 1% during the 2025–2026 marketing year, reaching 6.4 million tons, which is 34% above the average for the past decade. This will mark the third-largest canola harvest in the country’s history.
Chair of the Australian Oilseeds Federation Rosemary Richards noted that Pakistan’s decision enhances confidence in the stability of the Australian canola market and supports Australian producers and exporters. She stated that scientifically justified and transparent market access is essential for reliable trading relationships and international recognition of production technologies.
GTA and AOF emphasize their support for the principles of scientifically based and regulated international grain trade and express their intention to continue collaborating with other industry organizations to promote these approaches globally.
Currently, final import procedures are still being clarified. Preliminary information suggests that Pakistani importers will likely need to obtain special licenses or permits to import GMO canola. GTA has recommended that its members consider these requirements when planning trading operations.