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5 clusters · 13 sources · 44 days · First seen · Last updated

Pakistan wheat price surge and import efforts

Overview

Pakistan is experiencing a surge in wheat and flour prices, driven by wheat deregulation, the removal of support prices, and alleged hoarding. In Karachi, wholesale wheat prices rose from Rs90 to Rs132 per kilogram over a four-month period, while 50kg flour bags reached as high as Rs8,000 in certain regions. Flour millers have reported operational difficulties, noting they must purchase expensive wheat while being forced to sell flour at government-fixed rates.

To address domestic demand, which is estimated at 31 million tonnes against an annual production of 30 million tonnes, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) initiated a tender to import wheat. The TCP received bids for 185,000 metric tons from various international trading houses, including Bunge, Olam, Ameropa, and Agrocorp. Bunge reportedly offered approximately 60,000 tons at the lowest price of roughly $339.36 per metric ton, while other bids ranged from $341.88 to $343.74 per ton.

Recent developments show prices rising significantly in Punjab, where open market wheat prices increased by 600 rupees per maund within a single week. By mid-October 2026, while the annual inflation rate saw a slight decrease to 11.38 percent, the price of flour continued to rise.

Looking toward the 2027 crop season, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed a wheat price of Rs4,500 per maund, a Rs1,000 increase from the previous year. The government aims to help farmers manage rising production costs and encourage domestic cultivation. However, the Markazi Kisan League warned that realizing this price depends on the government’s ability to implement a formal procurement plan to rebuild state reserves.

Entities

Pakistan · Pakistan Bureau of Statistics · Trading Corporation of Pakistan · Bunge · Wholesale Grocery Association

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Pakistan Prime Minister sets wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund

    Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed increasing the 2027 wheat price to Rs4,500 per maund to support farmers and boost domestic production.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Pakistan inflation rate slows to 11.38 percent amid rising commodity prices

    Pakistan's annual inflation rate slowed slightly to 11.38 percent, though prices for 23 essential items, including flour and chicken, increased during the latest week.

  3. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Pakistan inflation hits 11.97% as wheat and flour prices surge

    Pakistan's short-term inflation hit 11.97% in October 2026, fueled by rising wheat and flour prices due to government supply shortages in Punjab.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Pakistan receives bids for 185,000 metric ton wheat tender

    The Trading Corporation of Pakistan is reviewing bids for a 185,000 metric ton wheat tender, with the lowest offer reported at approximately $339.36 per metric ton.

  5. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Wheat and flour prices surge across Pakistan

    Wheat and flour prices are surging across Pakistan, with 50kg flour bags reaching Rs8,000. Experts cite deregulation, hoarding, and supply shortages as primary drivers of the rising costs.

Sources

arabnews.pk · arynews.tv · chinimandi.com · chitraltimes.com · dailykhabrain.com.pk · dailytimes.com.pk · express.pk · latestly.com · lhrtimes.com · mediabites.com.pk · pakbanker.com · theneutral.pk · urdu.arynews.tv

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history