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4 clusters · 10 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS · POLITICS

Pakistan wheat shortage crisis

Entities: Pakistan · Muhammad Aurangzeb · Ishaq Dar · Rana Tanveer Hussain · Economic Coordination Committee

Overview

In early July, Pakistan’s federal minister for food security declared wheat stocks sufficient, citing a 1.36‑million‑tonne rise in production and warning against hoarding. Provincial officials, however, warned that reserves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were low and that a 3.5‑million‑tonne deficit could force imports.

By late July, procurement fell far short of targets in Punjab (≈480,000 t of a 3 million‑t goal) and Sindh (≈200,000 t), confirming a 3.5‑million‑tonne shortfall despite last year’s $1 billion import. Officials cautioned wheat prices could climb to PKR 6,000 per maund, threatening food security and foreign‑exchange reserves. Amid the crisis, Pakistan signed a 60,000‑tonne rice export agreement with China’s Guangzhou and Shenzhen provinces, covering Basmati and non‑Basmati varieties, and sending a 20‑member delegation to finalise terms, expected to generate $300‑$400 million.

On 24 July, the federal government approved the immediate import of one million tonnes of wheat to narrow the estimated 2.5‑2.55 million‑tonne supply gap for the 2026‑27 marketing year. The move aims to stabilise wheat and flour prices nationwide and ease pressure on foreign‑exchange reserves.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Pakistan approves 1 million‑ton wheat import and creates panel to assess provincial needs

    Pakistan approved importing 1 million tons of wheat and set up a high‑powered committee, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, to assess provincial needs and stabilise prices.

  2. 9 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Pakistan to Import One Million Tonnes of Wheat to Stabilize Prices

    Pakistan approved an immediate import of one million tonnes of wheat to address a supply shortfall and curb rising wheat and flour prices nationwide.

  3. 9 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Pakistan expands rice exports to China amid deepening wheat shortage

    Pakistan aims to earn $300‑$400 M by exporting 60,000 t of rice to China while a wheat shortfall risks price spikes and further import costs.

  4. 21 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Pakistan wheat supply declared stable as minister denies shortage amid import calls

    Pakistan's food minister says wheat stocks are sufficient, but other officials warn of a 3.5 Mt deficit and call for imports to prevent a supply crisis.

Sources

arabnews.pk · arynews.tv · bolnews.com · culturalpolicy.com · dailytimes.com.pk · economy.pk · news18.com · News18.com · onepakistan.com · theneutral.pk