Flour Price in Pakistan (Latest Guide)
In Pakistan, wheat flour is a vital part of our daily meals, providing about 72% of the calories we consume. Now, in late 2023, the cost of wheat flour ranges from Rs. 160 to Rs. 200 per kilogram. Unfortunately, the wheat flour market is going through a tough time due to problems with production and supply.
These issues are causing the prices to go up and making it harder for people to find the flour they need. As we take a closer look at what’s happening in the wheat flour market, we’ll explore why prices are changing, how it’s affecting us, and what could be done to fix these problems.
Current Wheat Flour Prices in Pakistan
According to the most recent information, the cost of wheat flour in Pakistan varies between Rs. 160 and Rs. 200 per kilogram. Keep in mind that prices might differ depending on the area, influenced by factors like how much people want it and how much is available. To give you a clearer picture, here’s a table displaying the prices of well-known wheat flour brands in Pakistan:
| Brand | Price for 5 Kg (Rs.) | Price for 10 Kg (Rs.) |
| Sunridge Super Fine Atta | 880 | 1800 |
| Sadi Chuki Atta | 930 | 1820 |
| Anaaj Yousaf Chakki Atta | 890 | 1780 |
| Mughal Fine Atta | 780 | 15401 |
Observing the present prices and looking back at history, it’s clear that the cost of wheat flour has been going up consistently. Back in 2016, the price was steady, but after that, it started climbing.
The export price of wheat flour from Pakistan has also gone up steadily. In 2018, it was $0.45 per kilogram for export, and by 2022, it had risen to $0.65. This pattern indicates that the local price of wheat flour in Pakistan is probably going to keep going up in the coming times.
Factors Affecting Wheat Flour Prices
The prices of wheat flour are shaped by various factors, both at home and worldwide. Changes in how much wheat is grown and used have a big impact on flour prices. If there’s less wheat because of a drought, then there’s less flour available, and that could make the price of flour go up.
Droughts can also make the quality of wheat worse, and lower-quality wheat is not so good for making flour, which could push prices even higher. The government also has a big say in how much wheat flour costs.
They might step in and make wheat cheaper to keep food prices down. But if they make it too cheap, more people will want it, and that can cause problems for the global supply. In Pakistan, the government is directly bringing in wheat and selling it at lower prices to keep flour affordable.
Events happening in other parts of the world, like the war between Russia and Ukraine, can also affect how much we pay for wheat flour. For example, if there are issues with getting wheat from Ukraine, Pakistan might start getting more from Russia.
This change in where we get our wheat can change how much we pay for flour here. And if big wheat suppliers like Russia and Ukraine stop selling as much to other countries, the price for wheat from the farmers could go up a lot.
Wheat Flour Production and Consumption
Wheat Production in Pakistan
Wheat holds a prime spot among Pakistan’s main crops, standing alongside rice, cotton, and sugarcane. Approximately 40% of the total field cropland in Pakistan is dedicated to growing wheat.
The anticipated wheat production for the 2023/2024 season is 27.0 million tons, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. However, due to elevated fertilizer costs and drought in some regions, Pakistan fell short of its wheat production target of 28.90 million metric tons.
The success of wheat production in Pakistan hinges heavily on irrigation. The country grapples with periodic shortages of irrigation water and faces the challenge of high energy expenses for operating irrigation pumps. Despite these hurdles, wheat remains a pivotal crop for Pakistan, contributing significantly to both food security and the overall cultivated land area.
Wheat Consumption in Pakistan
In Pakistan, wheat flour is a big part of what we eat, making up 72% of our daily calories. On average, each person in Pakistan consumes about 124 kilograms of wheat every year, which is one of the highest amounts globally. About 60-70% of all the calories we eat come from wheat and wheat-based foods. The total amount of wheat we consume has been going up each year, reaching 29.2 million metric tons this year.
However, the wheat we produce in our country is not enough to meet the needs of our growing population, which is currently at 229 million and increasing by about 1.9% each year. This creates a challenge in making sure everyone has enough wheat to eat.
Balance Between Domestic Wheat Production, Consumption, and Imports
Even though we’re making more wheat, it looks like we might not be able to keep up with how much we’re eating. The prediction is that, in the year 2023/24, we’ll have to bring in about 2.6 million tons of wheat from other places.
This tells us that Pakistan doesn’t produce enough wheat to match how much we all want to eat. In the past, we’ve done a good job of growing our own wheat and didn’t need to bring in much from outside.
But things have been changing, and sometimes we end up getting more wheat from other countries than we can grow ourselves. The need to import wheat has been going up because our own wheat production isn’t growing as fast as we’re eating it.
The Flour Crisis in Pakistan
Even though we’re making more wheat, it looks like we might not be able to keep up with how much we’re eating. The prediction is that, in the year 2023/24, we’ll have to bring in about 2.6 million tons of wheat from other places.
This tells us that Pakistan doesn’t produce enough wheat to match how much we all want to eat. In the past, we’ve done a good job of growing our own wheat and didn’t need to bring in much from outside.
But things have been changing, and sometimes we end up getting more wheat from other countries than we can grow ourselves. The need to import wheat has been going up because our own wheat production isn’t growing a
Current Flour Crisis and Its Impact on the Population:
Right now, Pakistan is going through a serious flour crisis because there isn’t enough wheat, which makes up 72% of our daily calorie intake. This shortage has caused the price of flour to shoot up, making it too expensive for many people.
For example, in Lahore, the cost of a 15kg bag of flour went up by Rs 300 in just two weeks, reaching Rs 2,050. People are facing long lines at government-subsidized flour centers, and unfortunately, there have been reports of stampedes and even deaths due to overcrowding.
Various factors have made the crisis worse, including the Russia-Ukraine war, floods in 2022, and smuggling wheat to Afghanistan. On top of that, there’s been mismanagement between the food department and flour mills.
Government Measures to Address the Wheat Shortage and Their Effectiveness:
The government is trying to handle the wheat shortage by importing wheat, and a recent shipment from Russia is expected to help. They’ve also given the green light to import 300,000 tonnes of wheat to ease the shortage. However, these steps haven’t completely fixed the crisis.
Despite the government saying there’s enough wheat, problems with the supply chain are causing a shortage. Mismanagement between the food department and flour mills is adding to the problem.
The government is also running a scheme to provide free flour to the poor, especially in Punjab province. Unfortunately, this has led to overcrowding, stampedes, and even deaths and injuries at distribution centers.
The Human Cost of the Crisis:
The impact of the flour crisis on people in Pakistan is significant. The high prices of flour are making it hard for many folks to afford this essential food item, resulting in long lines at government-subsidized distribution centers. Tragically, there have been incidents of stampedes at these centers, causing deaths and injuries.
For example, a stampede at a Ramadan food distribution center in Karachi took the lives of at least 11 people, all women and children. Another stampede at a free flour center in Punjab province resulted in the deaths of two elderly women and a man, with 60 others getting injured.
The crisis has also sparked protests against high prices and mismanagement in distributing free flour. The situation is being described as a potential large-scale humanitarian disaster.
Conclusion
Presently, Pakistan’s wheat flour market is in a challenging situation due to shortages causing elevated prices and scarce availability. To bring stability, it’s crucial to have well-thought-out plans and engage in international trade wisely.
Relying on imports makes our market vulnerable to global ups and downs. Looking ahead, things are uncertain. With a population that’s growing and folks eating more wheat, the demand is going up.
If we don’t produce enough locally, we might keep depending on imports, and prices might stay unpredictable. Making effective policies and handling trade relationships well will be key to ensuring we have enough food and steady prices for wheat flour in Pakistan.
