Zarai Khabrain Aaj: Gandum Ki Qeemat Rs 4,500 Muqarrar, Cotton Spot Rate Rs 18,000 Aur Pyaz Mehngi
Monday, 26 October 2026 | 12 Katak 2083 BK | By Zarat Ghar Desk
The government has finally fixed an indicative wheat price of Rs 4,500 per maund for the 2027 crop, but farmer groups say it is still short of their demand and want an agricultural emergency. Cotton prices slipped this week, onions and LPG became more expensive, and a new FAO report says Pakistan does not grow enough vegetables, fruit and pulses for a healthy diet. Here is today’s agriculture news round-up.
| Aaj Ki Khaas Baatein • PM Shehbaz Sharif set the indicative wheat price at Rs 4,500 per 40kg for the 2027 crop, up Rs 1,000. • Kissan Ittehad welcomed it but demanded an agricultural emergency and transparent procurement. • KCA cut the cotton spot rate by Rs 300 to Rs 18,000 per maund; PCGA arrivals at 4.1 million bales. • Weekly SPI up 0.65%: onion +4.2%, LPG +22.4%, tomato -22%, atta Rs 2,976 per 20kg. • FAO: more than 60% of Pakistanis cannot afford a healthy diet. |
Gandum Ki Nayi Qeemat: Rs 4,500 Fi Maund Muqarrar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved an indicative wheat price of Rs 4,500 per maund (40kg) for the 2027 crop, Rs 1,000 more than the Rs 3,500 set for the 2026 harvest. The PM Office said the decision was taken in consultation with the chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh and was meant to help farmers cope with higher production, fuel and fertilizer costs and to boost wheat output.
Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said the federal government will work with the provinces on a uniform price and has kept 1 million tonnes of wheat in reserve. Farmer groups had asked for Rs 5,000, and some commentators say the announcement came late for Sindh, where sowing starts in November. Mandi rates are currently around Rs 4,608 per 40kg on average (AMIS, 25 October). Check today’s wheat price in Pakistan, gandam rate in Sindh and all mandi rates today.
Kissan Ittehad Ka Zarai Emergency Ka Mutalba
At a press conference in Multan on Saturday, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad chairman Khalid Mahmood Khokhar welcomed the Rs 4,500 price but said it is not enough without effective government procurement. He demanded an agricultural emergency, direct wheat procurement by the Food Department, a 10-year agriculture policy with predictable prices, small agro-processing units with interest-free loans, transparent payments to sugarcane growers and lower electricity tariffs. He also said fertilizer plants must keep running to avoid shortages. According to his own estimate, wheat production could rise by about 10% and fertilizer use by 10–15% this season. See the latest fertilizer price and sugarcane price.
Cotton Market: Spot Rate Rs 300 Kam, Rs 18,000
The Karachi Cotton Association cut its spot rate by Rs 300 to Rs 18,000 per maund in the latest weekly review. Phutti traded at Rs 7,000 – 9,200 per 40kg in Sindh and Punjab and Rs 7,200 – 9,400 in Balochistan, while lint ranged from Rs 16,500 to Rs 18,500 per maund. The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association reported about 4.1 million bales reaching ginneries by 15 October, roughly 7.5% more than last year, but ginners say quality is weaker. The ginning industry has also protested surprise FBR raids on factories. See the full cotton rate in Pakistan.
Mehngai Report: Pyaz Aur LPG Mehngi, Tamatar Sasta
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the weekly Sensitive Price Indicator rose 0.65% in the week ended 22 October 2026 and is 11.85% higher than a year ago. LPG jumped 22.4% and onions 4.2%, while tomatoes fell 22% and bananas 2.4%.
| Item (PBS national average) | 22 Oct 2026 | Change in week |
|---|---|---|
| Atta 20kg bag | Rs 2,976 | +1.00% |
| Sugar (1kg) | Rs 141.61 | -0.35% |
| Onion (1kg) | Rs 188.57 | +4.19% |
| Tomato (1kg) | Rs 93.17 | -21.99% |
| Potato (1kg) | Rs 49.47 | -1.38% |
| Garlic (1kg) | Rs 403.28 | +0.74% |
In Lahore, the official rate list for 26 October puts Grade A onions at Rs 200 per kg. Tomatoes have moved the other way to the national trend in Lahore: Grade A tomatoes are Rs 150 per kg, up from Rs 90 on 23 October.
FAO: Pakistan Mein Sabziyon, Phalon Aur Daalon Ki Kami
A new FAO policy brief, Food Supply for Healthy Diets in Pakistan, says more than 60% of Pakistanis cannot afford a healthy diet. Comparing food supply with national dietary guidelines for 2010–2023, it found that Pakistan produces more cereals and sugar than needed, but has large and growing shortages of vegetables (13–21.6 million tonnes in 2023), fruit (3.9–14.3 million tonnes), pulses and roots and tubers. FAO recommends more investment in vegetables, fruit and pulses, and reducing food loss and waste. Check the latest dal price in Pakistan.
Sources
- Dawn – PM sets indicative wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund (23 Oct 2026)
- ProPakistani – Wheat support price raised by Rs 1,000 (24 Oct 2026)
- The Nation – Kissan Ittehad demands agricultural emergency (25 Oct 2026)
- Business Recorder – Weekly cotton review (26 Oct 2026)
- PBS – SPI for the week ended 22 October 2026
- Dawn – Pakistan’s food supply fails own dietary guidelines: FAO (26 Oct 2026)
- District Lahore – Official vegetables rate list
