Syed Fakhar Imam, Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security and Science, has confirmed that Pakistan is reviewing and considering importing wheat from India. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Commerce raised serious concerns on March 18th about importing costly wheat from Ukraine.
During a press conference in Islamabad with Punjab Provincial Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday evening, the Minister was responding to a question from a journalist. During a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, they were explaining the wheat decisions made.
To benefit farmers, Fakhar Imam said the government has set the minimum support price for wheat at Rs. 1,800 per 40 kg for the current season. He went on to say that the government wants to narrow the price gap between domestic and foreign markets for the product.
He reported that approximately 3 million tons of wheat will be imported to raise local stocks in order to meet demand during Ramadan. He went on to state that the government will retain 3 million tons of strategic reserves.
According to the minister, local wheat production for the current season is expected to exceed 26 million tons, up from 25.25 million tons last year. He added that the government is working to increase per-acre production and that better quality seeds have been produced.
