| Province / Region | Unit | Approx. Current Market Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab (overall) | Per man (40 kg) | ₨ 4,400 – ₨ 4,800 |
| Sindh | Per man (40 kg) | ₨ 4,400 – ₨ 4,650 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) | Per man (40 kg) | ₨ 4,560 – ₨ 4,640 |
| Balochistan | Per man (40 kg) | ₨ 4,550 – ₨ 4,650 |
| Islamabad | Per man (40 kg) | ₨ 4,400 |
| Federal & Provincial Support/Policy Price | Government rate | ₨ 3,500 per man (40 kg) |
Wheat is the most vital staple crop in Pakistan, forming the backbone of the nation’s diet and food security. Yet, recent market trends have sparked concern among consumers and traders alike. Over the past ten days, a sharp escalation in wheat prices has been recorded across Punjab and the capital, driven by diminishing supplies and heightened demand.
This sudden spike has not only affected the cost of raw wheat but has also triggered a scarcity of flour bags in major urban centers. As prices climb and availability dwindles, households are feeling the strain of rising food costs. This article breaks down the current market rates across major cities and explores the reasons behind this unfolding crisis.
Current Market Rates Across Major Cities
| Province / City | Approx. Price (PKR per 40 kg) |
|---|---|
| Punjab | |
| Lahore | 4,450 |
| Rawalpindi | 4,800 |
| Gujranwala | 4,500 |
| Gujrat | 4,500 |
| Multan | 4,450 |
| Bahawalpur | 4,400 |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | 4,400 |
| Faisalabad | 4,550–4,680 |
| Sargodha | 4,500–4,620 |
| Sialkot | 4,480–4,660 |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 4,600–4,720 |
| Toba Tek Singh | 4,610–4,750 |
| Sindh | |
| Karachi | 4,700–4,800 |
| Hyderabad | 4,670–4,720 |
| Sukkur | 4,610–4,630 |
| Larkana | 4,650–4,670 |
| Mirpur Khas | 4,650–4,720 |
| Nawabshah | 4,600–4,630 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) | |
| Dera Ismail Khan | 4,600–4,650 |
| Mardan | 4,650–4,700 |
| Balochistan | |
| Quetta | 4,680–4,700 |
| Sibi | 4,675–4,700 |
| Federal Capital | |
| Islamabad | 4,830–4,850 |
The price of wheat has surged by nearly 30 percent in less than two weeks, jumping from approximately Rs. 3,700 to as high as Rs. 4,800 per maund in some regions. This rapid inflation has affected key districts differently, though the upward trend is consistent throughout the province of Punjab and the federal capital.
Lahore
In the provincial capital of Lahore, wheat prices have climbed to Rs. 4,450 per maund. The impact is already visible on store shelves, where shortages of 10 kg and 20 kg flour bags are becoming common. Traders report that the price of a standard 15 kg flour bag has increased significantly, rising from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,750 a burden that is immediately felt by daily wage earners and middle-income families.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad
The situation is even more severe in Rawalpindi, where prices have spiked to the highest recorded level in this recent surge: Rs. 4,800 per maund. Neighboring Islamabad has also seen a steep increase, with wheat now trading at Rs. 4,400 per maund.
Gujranwala and Gujrat
These industrial hubs are not immune to the crisis. Wheat is currently being sold at rates up to Rs. 4,500 per maund, reflecting the tight supply lines feeding into these densely populated areas.
Southern Punjab
Southern districts, often considered the agricultural heartland, are also witnessing high prices.
- Multan: Rs. 4,450 per maund
- Bahawalpur: Rs. 4,400 per maund
- Dera Ghazi Khan: Rs. 4,400 per maund
Why Are Prices Skyrocketing?
The primary driver behind this price hike is a fundamental supply and demand imbalance. Asim Raza, the Central Chairman of the Flour Mills Association, highlighted that the sharp rise is directly linked to a growing shortage of wheat stocks.
According to Raza, wheat supplies are diminishing rapidly. As stock levels fall, the competition for remaining resources intensifies, pushing the per-maund price upward. This raw material cost is instantly passed down the supply chain, resulting in higher flour prices for the end consumer.
The shortage has created a ripple effect. With millers unable to secure wheat at previous rates, production costs have risen. In cities like Lahore, this has led to the scarcity of specific flour bag sizes (10 kg and 20 kg), as production slows or stock is hoarded in anticipation of further price increases.
Addressing the Food Security Challenge
The current trajectory of wheat prices poses a significant challenge for food security in the region. With the cost of a 15 kg flour bag jumping by Rs. 250 in a matter of days, immediate attention is required to stabilize the market.
Ensuring affordable access to flour requires addressing the root cause: the dwindling wheat supply. Whether through releasing government stocks, facilitating imports, or cracking down on hoarding, stabilizing the supply chain is essential to bringing relief to the public. As the situation evolves, consumers in Punjab and Islamabad will be watching closely, hoping for a return to normalcy in the pricing of this essential commodity.
