Sufficient wheat stocks available despite price concerns: Rana Tanveer

• Food security minister says provinces report no wheat shortage anywhere in country

• Review meeting assesses production, availability, procurement and market conditions

• Authorities directed to intensify market surveillance and curb unjustified price hikes

 ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain on Saturday said Pakistan’s wheat production this year is estimated to be 1.36 million metric tons higher than last year’s harvest, asserting that the increase has ensured sufficient stocks across the country and ruled out any wheat shortage despite concerns over rising market prices.

The assessment was shared after the minister chaired a high-level meeting attended by provincial officials and industry representatives to review wheat production, availability, procurement and prevailing market conditions.

“It is an encouraging development that Pakistan’s wheat production this year is estimated to be 1.36 million metric tons higher than last year’s production,” Hussain said, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Food Security following the meeting.

According to the ministry, representatives of all provinces unanimously informed the meeting that adequate wheat stocks were available and that there was no shortage anywhere in the country.

Pakistan has experienced recurring disruptions in the wheat market in recent years, with procurement shortfalls, private stockpiling and price volatility prompting successive governments to introduce market controls and anti-hoarding measures.

Last year, however, the country faced a different challenge as reduced government procurement following a bumper harvest resulted in a decline in farm-gate prices, triggering protests by wheat growers.

During the meeting, the minister directed federal and provincial authorities to further strengthen market surveillance, maintain close coordination and take prompt action against practices that disrupt wheat supplies or lead to unjustified increases in prices, the ministry’s statement said.