Pakistan plans to procure 6.5 mln tons of wheat to ensure food security

The federal government of Pakistan is planning to procure 6.5 million tonnes of wheat to strengthen the country’s food security. This was announced during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research. The procurement will involve the private sector, with the government covering storage costs.

According to the Ministry of National Food Security, a total of 21 companies have already been pre-qualified to participate in the program. Contracts will be awarded to multiple bidders offering the lowest rates to ensure transparency and avoid reliance on a single supplier. Each company must demonstrate a minimum financial capacity of Rs1 billion.

The final administrative and financial framework will be approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and incorporated into the national budget. Procurement operations are expected to begin in the last week of April. The government has also set a Minimum Support Price (MSP) at Rs3,500 per 40 kg to stabilize the market and support farmers.

Authorities estimate the country’s total wheat production this year at around 29 million tonnes, with about 40% entering the market while the rest is retained by farmers for personal consumption. However, in regions such as Sindh, farmers are already selling wheat at significantly lower prices, around Rs2,700 per 40 kg.

The parliamentary committee urged the government to expedite procurement to prevent middlemen from capturing most of the benefits. It also stressed the importance of ensuring broad farmer participation in state procurement at the established minimum price.

Tags: wheat, Pakistan