Pakistan considers wheat export on better harvest prospects

Pakistan will take a decision on whether to allow exports of wheat after assessing the crop end-April as late rains last month improved the harvest's prospect, said the federal agriculture minister Friday (March 5).

Pakistani government officials raised their wheat crop estimate by one million tonnes to 23 million tonnes after two spells of rains in February improved the soil moisture and allowing water supplies in canals to swell.

This helped to partially offset the prevailing dry weather at the time of the crop sowing in October and November.

"The government can allow the export of surplus wheat only after the final assessment of the crop by end of April," Nazar Mohammad Gondal said. Harvesting of the crop starts in April.

The country's annual consumption is around 22 million tonnes, while it has carry-over wheat stocks of 6 million tonnes.

Wheat product exports by Pakistan could help increase the global supply of foodgrains in coming months and bring down prices with the upcoming harvests in India, China, South America and the EU.

Pakistani industry officials want the government to allow exports of around 200,000 tonnes of wheat products, such as flour, to Afghanistan as they say that there will be no shortage of the grain in the local market.

But the government officials are treading cautiously as they fear that their hopes of a better crop may easily be dashed if bad weather strikes before harvest.

Pakistan banned the export of wheat and wheat products two years ago to keep a check on prices and ensure adequate local supplies.