Pakistan’s wheat cultivation shrinks 6.5%, raising food security concerns, says UN agency

Pakistan’s wheat planting area has fallen by 6.5% in 2025 compared to last year, even as total production is estimated at 29 million tonnes, about 5% above the five-year average, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations said.

Yields in irrigated regions remain above average, but crop losses occurred in rain-fed areas, which account for roughly 20% of total wheat plantings, and in some irrigated areas in northern Pakistan due to irrigation water shortages.

During the 2024-25 marketing year, wheat imports fell significantly below the five-year average following an import ban in July 2024. The government also continues to ban exports of wheat flour, including refined flour, semolina, and products made from imported wheat.

Rice exports, Pakistan’s main cereal export, are preliminarily forecast at 5.5 million tonnes for 2025, while maize exports for the 2025-26 marketing year are expected at around 500,000 tonnes.

The MSP removal formed part of economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $7 billion bailout approved in 2024.

Tags: Pakistan, Production, wheat, yields, flour, imports, planting area, Minimum Support Price, exports, prices, rice