Pakistan Reviews Wheat Supply as Provinces Seek Additional Stocks
The federal and provincial governments have intensified efforts to address concerns over wheat availability after several provinces requested additional supplies from federal reserves to help stabilize market prices.
During a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, officials reviewed the country’s wheat supply situation and discussed possible measures, including the option of wheat imports if required. A final decision was deferred until all provinces submit their updated demand estimates.
Provinces Request Additional Wheat
According to officials:
- Punjab has requested 1 million tonnes of wheat from federal reserves.
- Sindh has sought at least 220,000 tonnes available in Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) warehouses within the province.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requested approximately 100,000 tonnes for the public sector and an additional 700,000 tonnes for the private sector.
Sindh also requested that Punjab ease restrictions on wheat movement between provinces. However, Punjab maintained that it is managing its own supply requirements.
Why Are Supply Concerns Emerging?
The current situation has drawn attention because Pakistan produced an estimated 29.8 million tonnes of wheat during the latest harvest season.
Officials said the supply challenges are linked to multiple factors, including changes in the wheat procurement system and lower-than-planned government purchases from farmers.
Procurement figures show:
- Punjab purchased around 480,000 tonnes, compared with a target of 3 million tonnes.
- Sindh procured slightly more than 200,000 tonnes.
Officials also noted that investigations are underway regarding wheat stocks that are believed to be outside the formal supply chain.
Wheat Imports Under Consideration
The federal government is also evaluating whether wheat imports may be necessary to maintain strategic reserves.
Officials said PASSCO currently holds approximately 1.7 million tonnes of wheat. Meeting all provincial requests could significantly reduce these reserves, making future imports a possible option if domestic conditions require.
Minister Ahad Cheema stated that any decision regarding imports would be based on a detailed assessment of the local market while also considering the interests of Pakistan’s farming community.
Wheat and Flour Prices
Recent official data indicates that wheat prices have increased in several provinces.
Current wheat prices per 40 kilograms are reported as:
- Punjab: Rs. 4,423
- Sindh: Rs. 4,625
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rs. 5,100
- Balochistan: Rs. 4,800
Meanwhile, flour prices have reached approximately Rs. 142 per kilogram in cities including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi.
Government Continues Market Monitoring
Federal and provincial authorities say they remain in close coordination to ensure stable wheat supplies across the country.
The government has assured that wheat will continue to be released to provinces under existing arrangements, while additional measures will be considered if needed to support market stability and maintain adequate availability for consumers.
