Pakistan is grappling with a severe flour crisis, as widespread wheat shortages, skyrocketing prices, and supply chain disruptions threaten the nation’s food security, forcing numerous flour mills to shut down and putting the staple food out of reach for ordinary citizens.

Shahid Rasheed Butt, former President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the gravity of the situation on Wednesday, stating that wheat prices have surged to between Rs 2,900 and Rs 3,150 per 40 kilograms. This price hike is exerting severe financial pressure on flour mills, many of which are now operating at a loss, with several ceasing production altogether.

The inflow of wheat into the open market has dropped significantly, while government-subsidized flour is reportedly disappearing from sales points. The financial impact is being felt across all provinces, with the price of a 15-kg bag of flour increasing by Rs 50 to Rs 70 in various cities of Punjab. In Quetta, the cost of a 50-kg bag has jumped by nearly Rs 1,000 in just one month.

Mr. Butt explained that an imbalanced distribution system has distorted the market. Mills receiving subsidized wheat at Rs 2,900 per bag have a significant competitive advantage over those forced to procure grain from the open market at higher prices, causing the latter to suffer continuous losses. Consequently, nearly half of the country’s flour mills have suspended their operations, constricting supply and exacerbating the shortage.

Authorities in Punjab have compounded supply chain issues by imposing restrictions on the inter-provincial transportation of wheat and flour through a permit system. Mill owners have criticized this policy as inconsistent and discriminatory, stating that it is creating artificial barriers at provincial borders.

The situation is particularly dire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where current grain reserves are estimated to last for only 27 days. Due to the severe wheat deficit, approximately 80% of the province’s flour mills have closed.

Adding to the pressure, policy loopholes have allowed over 1.6 million tonnes of wheat to be diverted to poultry and livestock feed mills in the four months following the last harvest, substantially reducing the amount available for human consumption.

The consequences for a public already struggling with inflation are severe. As flour constitutes approximately 72% of the average person’s daily caloric intake, the price hikes are forcing families to either reduce their food consumption or turn to substandard alternatives.

Shahid Rasheed Butt urged the government to take immediate action, calling for strict accountability in the food distribution system, fair and equitable provision of wheat to all operational mills, and the immediate lifting of restrictions on inter-provincial movement. He warned that without swift intervention-including the release of official reserves and policy reforms-the current shortage could escalate into a devastating food security crisis.