The country has a bumper harvest of wheat crop for the last 4 years, with an all time record production of 25.21 million tonnes in 2010-11, said a statement here on Monday. For the year 2011-12, the wheat crop is estimated at 23.52 million tonnes. Wheat is not only the major staple food grain but also the food security crop of Pakistan. Being a very sensitive commodity, a small change in its price and availability has a considerable impact on consumers, especially the poor sections of the community. Hence the Government is much concerned with its supply and demand situation so as to ensure the availability of this basic food security item for the masses. During the current year, the public sector wheat stocks were 9.30 million tonnes including current procurement of 5.79 million tonnes and last year carry-over stocks of 3.51 million tonnes. The public sector on the average annually releases 6.5 million tonnes to flour mills and other Agencies/Areas. Maintaining the Strategic Reserve of one million tonn, the country is left with 1.80 million tonnes surplus. Thus the country is quite comfortable in wheat supply during the current year. In view of sound supply position, the government has allowed the private sector to export wheat and its products. It is reported that the private traders have exported wheat and its products from the open market in recent months in the wake of rising prices in the world market. Major portion of these exports comes from wheat flour, accruing value addition receipts to the economy. The Government has also opened releases of wheat to the flour mills w.e.f September, 1 to help stabilize the domestic market.
