The cooking oil and vegetable ghee industry is another large manufacturing sector. From a production of 4000 tons in the 1950s, it has grown to about 60,500 tons in 2000. However, the actual demand is approximately 117,000 tons; a shortfall has been witnessed over the last two decades.
This shortfall is made up through the import of cooking oils, which are added to the local production. Pakistan imported edible oil worth Rs. 11,500 million in 2001-02, which puts a lot of strain on the economy and it is still increasing. The gap is widening constantly as the population increases and standards of living improve. In 1976, the Ghee Corporation of Pakistan was established to manage the affairs of this industry.
Vegetable oil is obtained from edible oil seeds grown especially for this purpose. Pure butter oil is produced in small units; many people prefer to use this instead of cooking oil or vegetable ghee. Vegetable ghee is formed when edible oil is hydrogenated. The market for vegetable oil and ghee is spread all over Pakistan. The manufacturing units are also widely distributed.
This shortfall is made up through the import of cooking oils, which are added to the local production. Pakistan imported edible oil worth Rs. 11,500 million in 2001-02, which puts a lot of strain on the economy and it is still increasing. The gap is widening constantly as the population increases and standards of living improve. In 1976, the Ghee Corporation of Pakistan was established to manage the affairs of this industry.
Vegetable oil is obtained from edible oil seeds grown especially for this purpose. Pure butter oil is produced in small units; many people prefer to use this instead of cooking oil or vegetable ghee. Vegetable ghee is formed when edible oil is hydrogenated. The market for vegetable oil and ghee is spread all over Pakistan. The manufacturing units are also widely distributed.
