By Sohail Butt Misken
Islamabad: Wheat sowing targets met during the current season have helped stabilise food supplies, while prices of several essential items, including sugar and perishable foods, have shown a declining trend ahead of Ramadan, officials said on Monday.
The assessment was shared during a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting reviewed inflation trends, the availability of key commodities and measures aimed at maintaining price stability and food security in the coming weeks.
According to data presented by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, headline inflation rose from 4.1 per cent in December 2024 to 5.6 per cent in December 2025, driven mainly by higher gas charges, rising gold prices and increases in wheat, milk and chicken prices. At the same time, prices of items such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions, tea, pulses, electricity and stationery recorded a downward trend.
Officials said comparative data for 2024 and 2025 indicated improved price stability for several kitchen staples, with onions and potatoes remaining cheaper in the current cycle. Wheat flour prices, however, increased over the past year, with a 20-kilogram bag rising from around Rs1,800 to about Rs2,146. Despite minor fluctuations in some pulses, overall indicators suggested easing pressure on sensitive food prices ahead of Ramadan.
Wheat sowing targets achieved, sugar prices decline
The committee was informed that national wheat sowing targets have been achieved, with the full seasonal target expected by February, strengthening domestic food security. Prices of sugar and chicken, which had risen earlier in the year, have declined in recent weeks, with sugar prices falling from above Rs180 per kilogram to around Rs150.
Cold chain infrastructure and food quality concerns
To address structural factors affecting price stability, the minister directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to prepare a detailed study on cold chain infrastructure in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. He said improved cold storage systems were essential to reduce post-harvest losses and absorb market shocks.
The meeting also discussed food quality issues, including concerns over the use of hard oil in ghee production. The minister instructed the ministry to coordinate with provincial food authorities to ensure enforcement of quality standards and prevent the use of harmful ingredients.
Ramadan supply management and provincial coordination
Officials reported that national food stocks remain stable, with wheat supplies sufficient for the next four months and sugar availability improving due to the ongoing crushing season. Domestic production of rice, chicken and potatoes was also described as adequate. However, the minister directed that supply chains for imported items such as gram, edible oil, dates and pulses be reviewed within a week to avoid shortages or price manipulation during Ramadan.
Provincial governments were asked to strengthen coordination with statistical authorities and local administrations to monitor stocks, curb hoarding and prevent profiteering. Representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, provincial governments and the ICT administration attended the meeting.
Concluding the session, the minister emphasised sustained coordination between federal and provincial institutions, regulators and financial bodies to protect consumers, strengthen domestic production and support macroeconomic stability.
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