Pakistan Seeks Provincial Input On Wheat Support Price

The federal government has invited recommendations from the provinces on the support price of wheat, setting up a fresh policy decision that could affect farmers, flour markets and consumers across Pakistan. The consultation comes as authorities weigh whether to absorb part of the cost through subsidy support or allow higher grain costs to pass through to buyers.

According to officials cited in the report, Punjab has recommended a wheat support price of Rs4,200 per maund, while Sindh has suggested Rs5,000 per maund. The difference between the two provincial proposals highlights the pressure on policymakers as they try to balance farmer protection with food affordability.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has informed the federal side that it purchases wheat from Punjab. That position is important because inter-provincial movement and procurement arrangements can shape how quickly wheat stocks reach deficit areas and how sharply prices respond in local markets.

Officials said imported wheat is reaching around Rs5,000 per maund after expenses. The imported grain was reportedly bought at $345 per ton, but freight and other related costs pushed the final per-maund price higher by the time it entered the domestic supply chain.

Farmers have raised concerns over the price gap between imported and locally procured wheat. They argue that while imported wheat is effectively costing around Rs5,000 per maund, local wheat has previously been purchased at about Rs3,500 per maund, creating resentment among growers who want stronger price protection.

The report also cited a quality comparison between local and imported wheat, stating that local grain contains about 25% gluten while imported wheat contains around 23%. Such quality differences can matter for flour mills, bakers and consumers because gluten levels affect flour performance and end-use quality.

Earlier, three provinces had sought procurement of 750,000 tons of wheat, while 215,000 tons were imported. Of that imported quantity, 100,000 tons was provided to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 115,000 tons to Sindh, while earlier provincial demands included 200,000 tons for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 300,000 tons for Sindh and 250,000 tons for Punjab.

A fresh tender is expected to be issued for the procurement of another 200,000 tons of wheat, with officials indicating that the next import may come at an even higher price. The decision on support price will therefore be watched closely because it can influence procurement costs, flour prices, farmer confidence and the wider food inflation outlook.