Sugar, wheat price hike
Wheat and sugar prices in Pakistan have surged, benefiting farmers but worsening hardships for flood-hit families. Wheat rates in Sindh’s Tando Allahyar jumped to Rs4,000 per maund from Rs2,200, pushing flour to Rs110/kg. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces a 4.1-million-ton wheat deficit. Urgent government intervention is needed to stabilize supply and protect vulnerable households.
The price increase of wheat and sugar commodities is a good news for farmers and bad news for the flood-stricken public. Farmers may welcome the higher rates because they will earn more for their crops, but ordinary people are now struggling to buy basic food items. In many parts of the country, especially Sindh’s Tando Allahyar district, wheat prices have jumped sharply to Rs4,000 per maund. Just a short time ago, the same wheat was being sold for Rs2,200 per maund, which was not favourable to farmers. This sudden rise has hit flour prices hard, which have gone up by Rs40 per kilogram. Flour that was Rs75 per kg is now Rs110 per kg. This increase may not benefit farmers significantly but it will make bread and other staples more expensive for families.
Other than wheat and sugar, the price of a 100-kg wheat sack has climbed from Rs7,200 to Rs9,300. A 50-kg flour bag has also seen a rise of over Rs5,000. These price hikes are especially painful for low-income families and those who are already suffering due to the recent floods.
The Pakistan Flour Mills Association has raised a red flag about the worsening wheat shortage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province needs 5.3 million tons of wheat every year, but currently faces a massive deficit of 4.1 million tons. The stock available is only 271,000 tons, procured last year. If urgent steps are not taken, this shortage may lead to even more price increases in the coming months. The government must step in quickly to control the crisis by improving supply chains, importing wheat if necessary, and supporting vulnerable communities. Without immediate action, this food price spiral could deepen poverty and make recovery harder for the country.
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Source : Minute Mirror
