May 8, 2007

Pakistan to export wheat to India, Afghanistan

The government of Pakistan has allowed export of five million tonnes of wheat to neighbouring countries, including India and Afghanistan as the country expects a bumper harvest of 23 million tonnes, said Pakistan Agriculture Minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan.

Bosan said final production figures may surpass current estimates and will later announce new plan for more wheat exports after finalising its crop figures.

Pakistan is especially upbeat about exporting substantial quantities of wheat to India which has floated an international tender to purchase the grain.

Bosan said the country has successfully achieved the wheat production target of 22.5 million tonnes and is optimistic of surpassing the target by a considerable margin.

He added wheat crop area has increased from 8.355 million hectares in 2005/2006 to 8.420 million hectares in 2006/2007.

Bosan expressed hope that due to record production, the prices of wheat flour in the domestic market would be low.