KARACHI: The government’s decision to initially import 750,000 tonnes of wheat through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) may not cause a significant drop in wheat prices in the markets, but it may resist any further escalation, millers and traders said.
However, traders said that already high flour prices, triggered by rising wheat prices in the open market, coupled with daily petrol price shocks, were forcing many low- and middle-income consumers to buy limited quantities of flour according to their requirements instead of buying five- to 10kg bags.
The TCP this week opened a tender for the import of 750,000 tonnes of wheat, in which nine international companies participated. Offers totalling 656,000 tonnes were received, with prices ranging from a minimum of $348.83 to a maximum of $369.95 per tonne.
A miller said that the price of flour will at least not go up after the official import of grain, but chances are slim for any steep fall in wheat and wheat flour prices. He claimed that since the government initiated efforts to allow wheat imports, the wheat rate in the open market had remained unchanged at Rs12,500 per 100kg bag.
CAP seeks private wheat imports to avert shortage, price hike
Karachi Retail Grocers Association (KRGA) General Secretary Farid Qureishi said that cash-strapped consumers, who were easily buying 5kg bags, were now settling for 2kg quantities in loose form to meet their immediate requirements as petrol prices had further ruined their lives. “It’s hard to buy a fine quality 5kg flour bag at Rs950-1,000 while a 10kg bag costs near Rs2,000,” he said.
Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA) Chairman Rauf Ibrahim said the imported 750,000 tonnes of grain would prove literally negligible, considering an estimated 70,000 tonnes of daily wheat grinding in the country, and the situation would become more alarming when demand for wheat and wheat flour rises in winter.
He said that in many low-income areas, people, perturbed by high utility and fuel bills and school fees, were taking an undesirable step by cutting their flour consumption to 1-2kg instead of buying in bulk quantities, which was not a healthy sign.
Flour No. 2.5, fine flour and chakki flour cost Rs145, Rs155 and Rs180 per kg, respectively, in the wholesale markets, while retailers add at least Rs10-15 per kg since transportation costs have almost been swelling daily under the daily fixing of fuel prices, the KWGA chief said.
Founder and Chairman of the Cereal Association of Pakistan (CAP) Muzammil Rauf Chappal said the import of 750,000 tonnes of wheat could not cause any notable drop in its prices, but the import was likely to keep wheat prices somewhat steady in the markets.
Urging the government to immediately allow the private sector to import wheat in order to prevent a potential shortage and further escalation in wheat prices, he said the 750,000 tonnes being procured by the government would not be sufficient to meet the country’s overall wheat requirement, as Pakistan’s annual wheat requirement was estimated at approximately four million tonnes.
The current international market offers significantly more competitive prices, with wheat available at approximately $320-325 per tonne. After accounting for freight, local charges and other import-related expenses, the private sector could potentially make wheat available at around Rs100-101 per kg, he claimed.
The CAP chief emphasised that the prevailing provincial quota system alone might not be sufficient to address the country’s wheat shortage.
Allowing the private sector to import wheat and make it available in the open market in bulk quantities would increase overall supply, improve market availability and help ease price pressures, ultimately providing relief to consumers. He cautioned that any delay in allowing private-sector imports could result in a significant wheat shortage and further deterioration in market conditions.
Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026