Pakistan approves immediate import of 1 million tonnes of wheat to stabilise market

Federal government authorises immediate purchases

Pakistan’s federal government has approved the immediate import of 1 million tonnes of wheat as it seeks to meet domestic requirements and maintain stability in the national market. Daily Pakistan reported the decision on July 24, citing Dunya TV and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

The ministry said imported wheat would be used to cover the country’s requirements and support market stability. The government has not disclosed the expected origin of the grain, purchasing timetable, tender mechanism, price or delivery ports. These details will determine how quickly imported supplies can reach flour millers and whether the programme can ease pressure across provincial markets.

Existing stocks will also supply provinces

The government plans to use wheat held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation, commonly known as PASSCO, to meet provincial requirements. According to Daily Pakistan, the combination of imports and releases from existing stocks is intended to ensure an uninterrupted wheat supply throughout the country.

The decision follows warnings of a possible wheat crisis and rising prices. Punjab and Sindh have requested large quantities of wheat from the federal government, according to a Daily Pakistan headline describing a report by Shahbaz Rana published in The Express Tribune. The available source material does not specify the volumes requested by either province or provide current wheat and flour prices. Even so, the federal response indicates that supply availability and distribution between the centre and provinces have become immediate policy concerns.

Millers question the timing of procurement

The Pakistan Flour Mills Association has called for permission to import wheat directly to ensure cheaper flour for consumers. Express Urdu reported the association’s argument that lower-priced Ukrainian wheat could have been purchased during a ceasefire window and while access through the Strait of Hormuz was available. The supplied material does not identify the proposed Ukrainian price, potential savings or the quantity that private millers wanted to procure.

For the milling industry, the effect of the import decision will depend on the landed cost, grain quality and allocation method. Releases through PASSCO may provide faster relief, while overseas cargoes will require procurement, shipping and inland distribution. For domestic growers, the timing and pricing of imports will also matter because lower-cost foreign grain can affect local market quotations. The government says it is committed to providing affordable, good-quality wheat, but implementation details will decide whether the 1 million-tonne programme translates into lower flour costs and stable availability across Pakistan.